The Old Man

The old man found me in the churchyard after I fled,
He took my hands in his and the words that he said,
Scarred my heart forever and I never forgot,
The way his gentle tone released my stomach from knots,

Life comes down to a few special moments Monroe,
This is one of yours, please don’t choose to go,
Go back inside and give your heart to that man,
Don’t run away from your love before your story’s began,

I know from experience that life is too short,
The last time I saw my love he was leaving the port,
On his way to be blasted by Tom, Dick and Harry,
He took one to his head and we never did marry,

So I’ve faced this world alone and it’s not been too bad,
But if I had the chance you have I’d be nothing but glad,
Forgive me for being glum but I’m trying my best,
To help you through one of God’ hardest tests,

I know it’s a big step but you need not fear,
As I’ll be right here waiting if you need me my dear,
It’s not terrifying once it’s all said and done,
And ten years from now you’ll feel like you’ve won,

Every single thing that this life has to offer,
And you’ll look back on this day as a tiny blur,
As the start of your little journey together,
Now go back in girl, he won’t wait forever,

I turned back around as I stepped in the church,
The old man sat by a grave, on a bench he was perched,
With his head in his hands, I could hear his groans,
And as he crouched down I could hear his old bones,

He turned back towards me, nodded and smiled,
Then lay beside his estranged love for a while,
I turned to my love and I whispered my vows,
And gave myself to him there, as much as God would allow,

When I exited the church I saw a lifeless body,
I knelt down beside him and placed down two poppies,
I can’t help but be grateful to that wise old man,
For he spent his last breaths making sure I never ran.