Old Friend

By Joseph McGowan

I saw you today in my room.
You lay tired as Mom helped you up from upon the floor.
You didn’t look too well.
I almost cried as she carried you in her arms out of the bedroom door.

Mom said, “It’s time to say goodbye to an old childhood friend,”
For it’s surely time we do.
To someone who’s always been there for me any time of day
Makes it that much harder saying goodbye to a friend like you.

Someone I’ve grown with and grown to love
For your love came to me in a special way and form,
Someone who’s always held my hand in the dark when I was scared
And when I was cold, always kept me snuggly and warm.

Someone who’s been by my side from my very first tooth
‘til my very first step and held me close at night
‘til the sandman came.  And in peace we both slept.

Someone who was, and will always be, my very first friend
Yes, I will cry, “For I am saying goodbye, and this is the end.”
For you’ve grown tired, a bit tattered
And Mom and Dad say, “It’s time to go.”

You’ve sacrificed yourself over the years for me.
You’ve done all you could, dear friend
And I will truly miss you so.

For, time passes and little boys grow into little men

And as we grow, some friends aren’t remembered,
But not to worry, you won’t be forgotten, my friend.

For, I must grow and leave you behind.
I wish there was some way I could tell you how much you’ve meant to me,
Some way to thank you, well really someway I could thank it
But you’ll never know.  I guess all I can do is hold you tight
And rub you one more time
and say, “I love you, my dear friend, my rubbing blanket.”