Way Back When, Way Back Then

Sticks and stones do break my bones

and so did you, my once and former friend

We were all very uppity when there was time to be just that

and you taught me that, my once and former friend

Wasn't I everything you wanted me to be for all those years and years?

And wouldn't they move the typewriter from right to left and right to left until they had no more nice things to say about us?

Or until infinitum as you once said, my once and former friend

Perhaps it is true that we are all spinning our wheels for something of nothing

but this all came to me early this morning

and you were already miles behind me in the mirror

and to the left of a winding road and its trees, where smokestacks were ringing up and up

Out of sight and out of your mind, as you dreamed and as you wished would be the case

my one and only

my once and former friend