Footsteps travel on as far as the eye can see
Side-by-side in lockstep just as straight as straight could be
I followed for a time to see where they would go
After a while only one set remained in the sand it did show
I stopped in amazement as they up and disappeared
What must have happened, something tragic I feared
Turning in circles no steps did depart
They just seemed to stop never returning whence they start
The second set went on at a steady measured pace
Never picking up stride, never seeming to race
I followed for a time the solitary set of prints
Nothing about their direction offered any hints
Where they might be going I hadn’t had a clue
Walking straight and narrow they never veered from true
Feet tired and achy the end it seemed in sight
Time had passed so quickly as day gave in to night
Before the light had faded I saw a chapel up ahead
A tiny cemetery, some benches and a shed
Seated on the bench, a solitary elderly man
With a bouquet of red roses held tightly in his hand
Clearing my throat so not to startle or to scare
I took a seat on his bench and struggled not to stare
Mustering up the courage I asked if he was alone
He responded, no he wasn’t in the gentlest of tones
Looking round and round there was no one else in sight
The story that he told turned me a paler shade of white
He told me that he took this stroll nearly every day
Just he and his loving wife would walk, hold hands and pray
With a smile he continued in a soft and mild tone
That part way through their walk she couldn’t manage alone
He’d pick her up and carry her the rest of their way
Her arms around his neck begging him to stay
Home is where he’d take her and lay her down to rest
Pointing to a tiny grave, he frowned, “I know its not the best”
But I promised her I’d be with her each and every day
We’d been together 60 years I knew no other way
Tonight I told her I’d be home soon never again to leave
The pain was getting far too hard as each evening alone he’d grieve
Patting my hand with trembling legs, hunched over he did stand
Shuffling over to his darling’s grave he placed the roses from his hand
I sat and watched as he walked away ‘til he’d wandered out of sight
Never again did I see the man who endeared me on that night
He’d kept the promise never to leave that he made to his love
His tiny grave, right next to hers, they’re together up above.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
