gain through loss

— By Michael Jerry Tupa

Bright eyes.

Extending into the future —
Wide horizon —
Greatness in my vision,
Friends — ah, old friends,
Old loves, starts and ends.

His brain often remembers,
What happened to you?
Do you recall those years?
Do you recall our laughs — our tears?
Does a furtive thought of THEN
Ever sneak into your mind, WHEN
Our tomorrows seemed endless?

But when we parted, we could only guess,
Where the gusts of destiny might carry us.

Bright eyes.
Fearless smiles.

Eager to travel the miles of life.
Confident glow.

There was that girl, the one girl
…I recall. We’d drive to college
Together. There was that bright
Afternoon — rich with sunlight,
When — while walking to my car at noon —
 Our hearts found a common tune
As we sung a simple child’s song.
Close that day, but love did not prolong.

Bright eyes.
Goofy grin.

Believing in miracles.
Believing optimism mows down all 
opposition.

Does that happy lad of yesterday 
Still live or has he gone away?
Does he still believe in the wonder
Of falling golden autumn leaves?
Have adversity’s hard knocks
Encased my heart in a box,
Afraid to feel too deeply, or
To give up on dreams of yore?

Are his eyes still bright, still searching,
Or are they blurred by sorrow’s sting?

Something deep tells him the child lives
Something deep tells him the child still cares,
Sparks of youth still arc in his timeworn breast,
Incited by not what he has but by what he gives.