Ruth Waggoner

THE FRONT PORCH

Our Friendship was special
it was one of a kind
sharing giggles and secrets
Growing over a lifetime

As the years went by
born were her four, my two
we laughed through the hard times
our friendship saw us through

Marriages came and marriages went
be it a shoulder or a laugh to share
It was a given,
our friendship was constant
A phone call, a thought and we were there.

Plans for our golden years
growing old was a given
a front porch we would share
Rocking in our chairs reminiscing

Through the test of time
Time together or time apart
the die was cast
we were in each other’s hearts

Then came the call
Friend I am going away
Cancer I have and
it can be any day

The pain, the fear
it cannot compare
we have plans to grow old
sharing rocking chairs

She said I need you
I said I will fly
we cried as we hugged
we said our good byes

And then the news came
a reprieve was given
remission she was in
she could go on living

Time passed, not long
it was taken away,
she came back strong
I have things to say

Each time I went
good byes got harder
a call from her daughter
the hospital has got her

Should I come now
or should I wait
no, I am going home
it is not too late

The final call came, she has passed:
Oh God, she just slipped away
My mind knows, but never my heart
I cried, I hurt, I tried to pray.

Why to me had she lied
“I am going home” she said,
I waited and I waited
but she died, she died instead

What of our plans
did she not care
for the anger I felt
and the despair

The next sound I heard
Shocked, I looked, I stared
her voice, but not in words
she said, “I am not there.”

I did not lie, I have come home
with our Rocking chairs I wait
I’m on the front porch of heaven
Old Friend, it is never too late

Author’s Note: Written in memory of Frankie: June 28, 1939 to November 6, 2001