Deep Down Inside

  1. I knew a man from years ago:
  2. His heart was strong, his tongue “I know”. 
  3. He carried in his pocket close
  4. A compass sure, exactness chose. 
  5. He painted art correct and right
  6. Of brightest day and darkest night.
  7. His path was set, the ladder climbed,
  8. The pilot lit, the pump was primed.
  9. But then he said goodbye one day
  10. Had packed his bags and gone away. 
  11. I stood upon the steady beach
  12. And watched his ship sail out of reach
  13. The inches small turned into miles
  14. As he went on to unseen isles. 
  15. As time went on, I lost this man;
  16. We drew apart, as strangers can. 
  17. But on occasion, I have thought
  18. Of what he’d done and what he’d not. 
  19. On where he is and what he does,
  20. For old times sake and just because.
  21. Does he still live deep down inside
  22. Beneath the years of pain and pride?
  23. Is he the one who tugs my heart
  24. Who cleans my wounds and soothes my scars?