Dinner at Dave’s— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
Good friends are anchors into reality
they speak their thoughts plainly
they counseled me with criticism and concern
and listened without rejection to my every reply.
Dave and Ron said I owed Rose
but, as the discussion wore on,
it seemed that it was Danny I owed
‘Give him all the relief you can’, they said,
‘that he can grow up as straight and true as possible.’
And Dave also said that, ‘In five years
I wouldn’t speak to he or Ron, my friends.’
that I would’ve risen beyond their friendships
and I smiled, honored
that they should see my future so bright
but hurt to think that they would think I would discard them so.
Evidently, they’ve seen me as some rising star
long before any of my talents or blind luck bore fruit.
They said they knew I’d do Rose wrong even back then,
when all my shoe string dreams lived only by our faith,
hers and mine, and her love.
I listened and I loved their honesty
but I can no more change myself than quit breathing….
I listened, listened and begged to hear more.
Perhaps something they know
could make it easier for her and Danny and I.
But, if not, I don’t regret our words nor the time spent.
They’re my friends and I love what they think.
gallagher
22 april 78
Archive for 1978
1978-04-22 Dinner at Daves
Saturday, April 22nd, 19781978-04-23
Sunday, April 23rd, 1978The moments escape us like sand from our hands— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
shining crystal showers of our experiences and visions
why not hold them cupped and flowing to our lips?
The moments our eyes can share
the giving of our nows without remorse
the moments all pass away, life is here and gone
when I smile at you don’t turn away
the moment is our love and our eyes the reality
and tomorrow always comes
no matter how you spend your showers and love.
gallagher
apr 23, 78
1978-04-30 For Danny
Sunday, April 30th, 1978For Danny— Copyright 1965-2008 by Dennis Gallagher —
Your Mother is a good woman
but her dreams were never the same as mine
and sometime, before you, before I knew why,
in the Washington wheat fields
our lives became involved and our hearts
began their play.
I didn’t know how it could be then
that you need to share more
than just love and gutsy togetherness
and so it began, and you came our way
the sweet product of all our love and youth
what more can I say? let truth lead the way…
Your Mother loved me and I loved her
but our youth began to slip and fray
and our dreams started to get in the way
beneath the wheat field love and her simple ways
but her dreams were far different from mine
and I can’t live in her settled way
youth isn’t the only time for dreams
and I’ll never come down to where
love isn’t all that I pray
I know you’ve got to wonder
how your young life can be so torn
and the tears come to my eyes to think how
your young soul is so bruised
by all the pain between your mother and I
I hope you see what it means to you
to find the right woman, boy.
For all the love you mother and I shared,
was never worth all the time we spent
and all the pain it took
when our dreams began to get in the way
Drink women like fine wine, boy…
they’ve each got something beautiful inside
but remember your dreams, whatever they may be,
and find a woman whose eyes shine
when you share your deepest dreams with her.
gallagher
30 april 78