Psalm 144:4 

their days like a shadow that disappears.

Carousel

I guess now is the time to write

about someone I’ve known for years.

At least since the middle eighties

not too close until six years.

We first went to Atlanta

to work at Brian’s mill.

We traveled then together

from Athens up there to work.

Then from Athens to Terrell County

to work in a new plant.

Together we traveled and worked

that plant to understand.

I guess we were a lot closer

than I really thought we were,

Through the years a tie that binds

kept us close in sphere.

Now suddenly he is leaving

just to walk out of my life.

I guess it was long in coming

since all of us want to survive.

and be closer to our families,

to see them everyday

and maybe have a future

with Shell to help our pay.

Maybe it is good

to keep a certain distance

and not get too close to someone

for they may leave in an instance.

Somewhere in the future

to a different destination

and is it worth the pain

to search for a replacement?

Who will step out of my life

as the others, who entered

and then it will be the same again

as they will seek a transfer.

It seems like a carousel.

What will be has already been.

So that is life as it appears

and filters deep within.

Jan Wienen