Leaving

For anyone who's ever had to move...

It used to be so easy in that old, forgotten place
My lonely soul still lingers there, my saddened memories trace
The love I had, the sunny days i spent in joyful bliss
Bonfire nights and snowflake days, my golden age I miss

So sweet, the childish ignorance I once could claim was mine
No broken hearts, no drama days, no saddened, painful nights
Giggling from a distance as we spied upon our crush
Passing notes and "flirting", even talking caused a rush

But boys were mainly playmates, there to laugh with, punch, and shove
Creating secret, useless, clubs; our only secret love
Summer afternoons spent in the lake and on the field
Swimming, playing soccer, side by side, not hearts concealed

But on a chilly mid-December eve, my world came tumbling down
Dad walked in the door, huddled our family all around
That cheapskate, useless company, had left us high and dry
They'd let my Daddy go, and they'd made my Daddy cry

All night, I lay there wondering, 'what happens to us now?'
With gasping sobs and salty tears, I made a silent vow
I'd never leave my home here; I would never leave my friends
If I was torn away from it, I felt my life would end

Every evening, once in bed, I wept as if I'd die
The months flew quickly, mocking me, dashing, running by
I came to see that I could not uphold what I had sworn
The knowledge ate my soul, made me ever more forlorn

Then one breezy summer morn, the time had finally come
To bid farewell to everything I grew up with and loved
I wandered through each empty room with teardrops in my eye
I made another promise; I'd come visit, by and by

With last hugs shared and wetted cheeks, I climbed into the van
Staring out the window, at the endless, hot, expanse
As we drove across that mile-long bridge, I never ceased to cry
Still I weep for mem'ries and the heart I left behind