ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

In Memory of my old mate John



THE LAST HANDSHAKE

There’s a sadness that still haunts me as I mooch the streams of late
and the loneliness stays with me as I think about you mate.
All the magic has now gone; I’ve lost the urge to cast a fly,
for my heart’s no longer in it mate, no matter how I try.

And the years ahead look gloomy, but the memories will last,
as those twenty years of mateship slowly meld into the past.
Though I’m sure that you’ll be with me when it’s time to stroll again,
where the morning bushes sparkle with their dewdrops after rain.

And I know that you’ll be present; although keeping out of sight,
when the Caddis fly is hatching down at Harvey Dam each night.
Once the trout have started rising and are moving close to shore,
I’ll imagine you’re there with me as we fish the dry once more.

As the whisper of an east wind blowing gently through the trees,
starts to fade away to stillness with those final puffs of breeze.
I’ll be ready then to wander off along the mirrored shore,
half believing you'll be there mate like you always were before.

And I realize that I must move on; you can’t live in the past,
but I’ll hang on to the memories as long as they may last.
And I’ll not forget our last handshake, that took place from your bed,
when you knew the end was close old mate, although you never said.

Soon the forest will entice me with its beauty on display
and its dappled shade inviting on some future summer’s day.
When I hear that gentle trickle as a stream flows ever on,
happy memories will surface, of those days that are now gone.


©T.E. Piggott 2011

G'day Terry, up to your usual standard mate. Sadly we are that wrong end of our journey and too quickly arriving at our destination it seems..

Thanks Ross

John and I were fishing mates for many years,
with our wives we would head for the south coast in February every year to escape the summer heat.
And although we were fly fishing for most of the year, we also enjoyed a bit of salt-water stuff as well.

As you say we seem to be rushing to our destination far too quickly, and losing our mates along the way,
and there doesn't seem to be anyway of slowing things down either.

Terry

G’day Terry,
Another excellent write. I enjoyed the read and the story line certainly resonates with me at this stage of the game too!
To some degree you feel like you have been robbed don’t you.
Well done mate,
Ron.

Deepest sympathy, Terry. A heartfelt tribute to a mate and your friendship.

Thanks Ron & Shelley

As you say Ron, you can't replace friends and mates whose friendships span many years.

Although John's been gone awhile now, I still miss his friendship.

Terry

Such a beautiful tribute to your friend, Terry.... I'm so very sorry for your sad loss - you must indeed miss John a great deal. xx

Thanks Catherine

I guess we have all lost close friends, especially as the years begin to catch up with us.

As I mentioned John passed away some time ago and I wrote this poem shortly after.
Now seemed as good a time as any to share it.

Terry