I was so enchanted by these poems about love–old couple’s love, father-and-son love–that I feel I must share.

-Lam

When You and I Were Young, Maggie

I wander’d today to the hill, Maggie,

To watch the scene below –

The creak and the creaking old mill, Maggie,

As we used to, long ago.

The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie,

Where first the daisies sprung;

The creaking old mill is still, Maggie,

Since you and I were young.

And now we are aged and gray, Maggie,

And the trials of life nearly done;

Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie,

When you and I were young.

                                            George W. Johnson

The Finest Fellowship

There may be finer pleasures

Than just tramping with your boy,

And better ways to spend a day;

There may be sweeter joy;

There may be richer fellowship

Than that of son and dad,

But if there is, I know it not;

It’s one I’ve never had.

Oh, some may choose to walk with kings

And men of pomp and pride,

But as for me, I choose to have

My youngster by my side.

And some may like the rosy ways

Of grown-up pleasures glad,

But I would go a-wandering

With just a little lad.

Yes, I would seek the woods with him

And talk to him of trees,

And learn to know the birds a-wing

And hear their melodies;

And I would drop all worldly care

And be a boy awhile;

Then hand-in-hand come home at dusk

To see the mother smile.

Grown men are wearisome at times,

And selfish pleasures jar,

But sons and dads throughout the world

The truest comrades are.

So when I want a perfect day

With every joy that’s fine,

I spend it in the open with

That little lad o’ mine.

                                       Edgar A. Guest