Forever
by Ted L Glines

Remember the old oak
tree fort up among the leaves
club house for the new generation
dreams of grandeur
loves and games
nothing can stop us,
forever brought a smile.

Remember those letters
hand written with ballpoint pens
sometimes illegible
always touching
across those many miles
waiting with anticipation
mailbox was a promise,
forever brought a smile.

Remember lovers lips
tasting of wine
eyes shining -- alive
smooth skin and silky hair
hot nights and magic days
promises with no end,
forever brought a smile.

Remember mighty works of youth
all muscles and speed
losing is not an option
super-heroes in the mirror
eternal winners
endless roller coaster ride,
forever brought a smile.

Remember Freedom of Speech dreams
gotta have that
speeches -- campus riots
police cordons
ideals against armor
beatings -- some got killed
Timothy Leary -- Joan Baez
winning meant so very much
humanity being improved,
forever brought a smile.

Remember the Internet growing
Russia chatting with Texas
Facebook moved our world
terrorists seen as entertainments
everyone has a website -- fans
[the president is a porn star?]
shopping in a dot-com mall
endless possibilities
eternity is one long LOL
on your laptop screen,
forever brought a smile.

Remember when God was real
heaven and hell were real places
walk in the garden with Jesus
sheep laid down with lions
innocence protected by angels
your sins were washed away
it was true
because the bible told you so,
forever brought a smile.

Old oak tree cut down long ago
nothing in my mailbox this year
dim memories of loves frolic
they closed the roller coaster
campus T-Shirt slogan insults me
reality morphs to an urban legend
innocence dipped into darkness,
when we weren't looking
forever ... died today.