to my classmates

To my classmates

How would we know then
as we know now
that time would fly by so quickly ?
Each 10-year cycle
30's , 40's , 50's , 60's
with each new ten-year reunion
it became more difficult to decide
if we were going to get to it
It also got more difficult
to make jokes about how we had aged
with each new one
Now it's just resignation
And when we can ,
we strive to make special mention
of each others qualities
- both inside and out
and we are attempting to slip
into the dry dock
with dignity
to do preparations and patch - up jobs
for the remaining journey
But the memories remain warm and clear
and the bonding has become stronger
with those in closer contact
And like ships captains sitting
in deck chairs on the shore
we look out to the sea and say:-
"Now those were the days , my friend !"