Old Soul

Sixty years ago, August warmed my heart, a pinch of sugar in the air,

A picnic space, our secret place, fond memories we share.

Where sunshine kissed our cheeks, and buttercups tickled my chin,

With butterflies, under cloudless skies, and over again we’d begin.

I met my high school sweetheart there, under a blossoming willow tree,

We were married that year, and together my dear, we carved the life you see.

Each day we’d meet there after work, over the hills of rolling green,

Holding hands, dreaming of future plans, the happiest we’d ever been.

Mother Nature smiled down on us, and blessed us with a baby boy,

Who lay among those flowers, and giggled for hours, within their gentle joy.

The whole village joined us in the meadows, for funfairs, concerts and plays,

Through sticky summer nights, with fairy lights, in those young and crazy days.

The decades may have passed my old soul by, but my memory serves me well,

Yet things are not the same, and who is to blame, for the heartbreak I’m here to tell.

Who poisoned our grass, and murdered the trees and destroyed the animals’ nest,

Our haven has gone, and now there’s no one, to remind us of what was best.

Beneath the smoke and ashes, it’s beauty still lives in my mind’s eye,

I remember what’s right, how to put up a fight, and never say goodbye.

Again, we pass the burden onto our grandchildren, the havoc it threatens to free,

Hoping it’s not too late, for them to change our fate, there is no planet B.