Long ago and Far Away, a Panther Sings his Song
Brave and rude
young Panther
smile and eyes
so cynical
from 17 hard years
and Sixties
grime and glitter
I’d like to find you
thank you,
for my education.
Where are you now?
An old man,
white haired
smarter
maybe
disappointed.
This isn’t what we
planned, expected,
wanted.
This isn’t why
we read those books
all those books
and talked philosophy
and politics
late into the night.
We wanted love
peace, tolerance
not hatred.
We never thought
of fear.
We were
The People.
There were no strangers
then,
just friends
we hadn’t met.
We scoffed at
those who
wanted things.
We wanted nothing,
just the air
and midnight dancing streets
and friends.
We needed nothing.
We had youth,
and hope.
Where are you now,
my youthful guru
teacher?
I think of you.
