Childhood Friendship

If only I could delve into memories
drag them all out just like the old photo album.
I'd find you and I on a blanket surrounded by toys,
our chubby hands grasping colourful objects our
minds not yet knowing where our lives will lead.

I do remember though my first day of school,
you waved me goodbye as mum walked me to my
new adventure.
Soon we would walk together with our mums and then
by ourselves as big girls do.

I can still see your chubby face red as we ran from a horse!
I wanted to pat the horse, but only if it was tied up.
Of course it was tied up, I remember you saying.
If there was rope on that horse it reached all the way to the main road!
I can now smile at this and yet feel its bitter sweet pain.

We were to be best friends forever and even though I moved away
from our street,
our close haven of adventures and games,
we did stay friends.

We caught up on school holidays and played like we had never parted.
My new home never became what we had.
I missed you every day.

When it was your turn in adulthood to catch up you found me married
and pregnant. We visited old memories, laughed together and promised to keep in touch.

When it was my turn to catch up I found you had died in childbirth.
I hadn't even known you were pregnant.
Guilt and sorrow wash over me.
Now all I have is memories and old yellowing photos.
It's my turn to wave goodbye to you and carry on my adventures alone.