Inspired by the Joe Diffie song of the same name.
He's brave and strong in company,
Without a sign of pain.
His friends can't tell he's ought but well
His laughter shows no strain.
He's loved and lost and loved again,
Though bruised, he carries on.
The mask he wears, he holds on tight,
Until his strength is gone.
He fills his time with work and play,
To slow would mean to sink.
But for a while, when he can't stall,
He's forced to sit and think.
Without the shielding energy
He can't hold off the tears,
When memories over flow the dam
That holds back ancient fears.
His first young love was his alone,
She didn't feel the same.
He feels the ache, though it's been years,
At mention of her name.
So like a bee, flew flower to flower,
To sip the nectar deep,
With out an ounce of love to give,
No promises to keep.
When next he loved, she loved him back,
They married in the fall,
Good wife, their children and his work,
He seemed to have it all.
Then years and trials drew them apart
Too slow for each to see.
The weight of days broke bridges down,
Yet seemed so suddenly.
He cries, then dies a little bit
In pain of what he lost.
When looking back, he sees each time
He failed and what it cost.
He's lost in time, but he'll come through.
It's happened all before.
When he comes out of hiding then,
He'll be "himself" once more.
Richard Higley © Oct. 15, 2017
