Return

Like a little ghost returned,
I sought the old familiar haunts,
Where happy childhood memories
Had long supplied my meager wants.
Down dusty avenues of years,
Unerringly I walked before
The well remembered places where
Nobody knew me anymore.

The dear beloved house was gone,
The bridge was down, the lake was dry,
The shops were closed and everywhere
So much had changed ... or was it I?
Somehow he seemed to understand,
The old stray dog, who licked my hand.

Rouby