MY FRIEND LORA
We were Jaycee’s,
seems like a hundred years ago.
We became pretty good friends,
but just why, I really didn’t know.
Seemed we just hit it off
and over the years to come,
if I didn’t do it with Lora,
seemed it lacked a lot of the fun.
We were ambulance attendants
and he was a fireman volunteer.
Later he became the Chief,
elected by his peers.
And when my barn burned,
he was Johnny on the spot.
A burned up buggy I had stored,
was all the thanks he got.
In the beginning, we snowmobiled
on a trip he called the stag run.
Sometimes we didn’t ride much,
but always, we had fun.
When our boys were playing football
we went to their games together.
With that pouch around his neck,
we fought off lots of nasty weather.
The Second week of Deer Camp
was likely written with him & me in mind.
We never ventured far from camp,
so we’d never be hard to find.
We got into dune buggies
when that became the fad.
And those trips we took to Harrison?
Some of the best I’ve ever had.
We bowled and golfed together
and sometimes made a friendly bet.
And all my memories of him
are of times I’ll never forget.
Later, we played some golf
with a buddy by the name Barrett.
We made a pretty good team,
played any team who’d dare it.
We played pool and pin ball
and sometimes made a friendly wager.
Once we even had a little squabble,
but it was nothing very major.
We also played some cribbage,
a game that was one of his strengths.
He’d always kick my butt,
then we'd share a few more drinks.
We were together through his divorce
and again when my wife died.
When you’re facing troubled times
you need a good friend by your side.
I left town years ago
and our friendship suffered some.
But, always when I’d return,
we’d get together for a little fun.
Maybe drinks at the Legion
or possibly a round of golf.
But, we’ve both mellowed a lot
since I up and headed south.
As he nears the end of his journey
and he faces that final test,
the citizens of Leslie should know
their losing one of their very best.
I think of Fire Chief Schmit
and all the time he gave.
The fire department he fought for,
the lives he may have saved.
Then there was Mr. Dershem,
who always had my respect.
And, finally Mr. Miner,
a hero I didn’t expect.
But the hall of fame for Leslie
will never be complete,
if when they call the roll,
Fire Chief Wilson has no seat.
FOR LORA
He was a man who gave much
to the town that he called home.
Though, on that honor roll
he doesn’t stand alone.
The list is rather long,
but you’ll find him near the top.
When there’s trouble who do you call,
a fireman, or maybe a cop?
He left us just a few days ago,
a man I called my friend.
But, according to his daughter
he’s yet to reach his journey’s end.
He left with many blessings,
yet many blessings did he leave.
She say’s I’ll see him again,
if I can only learn to believe.
He never waited until you called.
He was always there when needed.
If becoming an angel was his goal,
then I’m convinced that he succeeded.
© copyright 2010 Richard Lee King,
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Regis
Peace,
Dayvid
Best regards,
David