I do not possess the words like you, but this poem touched me as I read it, I felt it would be very hard for me to let you go, if I ever held your hand

This poem carries both human strength and human weakness. Strength in the fortitude of adventure taken, weakness in the reflection of 'loss'of youth, companionship, possibility. "if they had been done with my Okie friend." carries sadness and respect to me; and "always sight forward no time for goodbyes." I thought a fabulous end line because it leaves us with the taste of vibrance and eagerness. Lovely energy in this piece, Budd. ~~ Diana

~Budd~
Swinging bridges and cherished friends.
Thank you for sharing your smiles to memories.

Lady Mary Ann

What a wonderful memory of all the joys
you had with your Okie friend :)
I like to sit back and recall the times I had
with my old friends too!

Love and Light
Lily

It looks desolate but interesting country. We make many friends on life's journey. Cheers

This reminds me as well of all the solo hikes, climbs and wanderings among ice caves, glaciers (with super caution) and peaks...those places where the companionship of a like wanderer would have been appreciated, where, as you say, there would be no need for goodbyes, what might the experience have offered in addition to the wonders of self-realization that I did indeed experience? What might that have been like? You've succeeded in arousing my frustrations (never any regrets) when I tackled the Appalachian 400 club challenge that climbed the New England peaks of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Mass. (often alone, but some with my wife at the time) and saw as your poem suggests, a void where an "okie friend" (or in my case, an organic climber, many of which I knew) would have enhanced the experience. Thank you the reminder of experiences I wish I had been privileged to partake in. (I did make up for the somewhat frustrated solo work in New England, however, when I moved back to the west coast and took on the Cascades and especially my habitual trek to Mt. McKinley, west, east, and south walls. Wow...what a period of experiencing nature's threat and reward.)

I hear you Budd--I too have memories that I can recall and cherish in my heart-well done--I often wish I could have my old friends back with me once more---DK

Some memories are worth cherishing, forever.

Treasures kept in the mind
can be stored in the heart!
Thanks *Budd* for sharing!!

Lady Vivian

Some of us were just born to explore.

Ron

I feel the swinging bridge crossed by feet long ago...Kiamichi mountains for me... The peace felt could not be bought these days and times and starry skies are seldom looked at from blankets where heads rest...who knows, maybe the indian cupid will shoot his arrowhead and it land where no more goodbyes will have to be said...

Truly touched Budd...
Teresa

Great reflections on the past...nice writing.
Cheers,
Dan

Memories are pure gold aren't they?! I think childhood memories are the best of all...those were the times when imaginations led us into grand adventures!!! giggle...nicely done, Budd!

Anna

There's nothing like a good adventure........always looking onto the new adventure.

Love ya!

Jane

We are all wanderers.

Great memories, Budd.