Back Country Hike, Coffee, Tribute

Last Coffee with a Friend

While I am not yet ready to start posting about my back country hike, the timing is right for this post, which admittedly formed a part of that hike.

Two months ago today I lost a good friend and this tribute was a bit tough to write. Lloyd loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, boating, just being outdoors. It seemed logical to me to take him along on my hike in the mountains. Lloyd was also the guy you wanted around for a sing along, campfire or otherwise, hence the musical references (his favourites and ours). Rest in Peace, Lloyd.

Last Coffee with a Friend

We talked a lot over forty-three years.

We shared many laughs, we had a few beers.

One day, sad news came through a veil of tears,

no last chance for goodbye, my greatest fear.

Lloyd had always been there, my lifelong friend,

offering help and guidance without end.

When hard work was required, a hand he’d lend.

How to honour this man, I did not ken.

Suddenly, I knew how to pay him back.

I clad his photo with waterproof wrap.

I’d bring my friend on my back country track.

He’d add no weight to my 40 pound pack,

Over tall passes, zigging and zagging,

with each plodding step, my strength was flagging.

Just when it seemed my spirits were sagging,

came Lloyd’s soft strum, Puff the Magic Dragon.

Up that last steep hill, camp getting closer,

on downhill trails, I was a bulldozer.

how had I persevered, full disclosure,

t’was his tune, Farewell to Nova Scotia.

I woke with a start that cool mountain night,

I’d forgotten my friend, that was not right.

Then I heard his voice say, “Son, its alright!

We’ll talk tomorrow, at morning’s first light.”

As he’d promised, we shared one last coffee

and talked for a while by the tall pine tree.

“It’s time I moved on, Son”, he smiled wryly,

“I’ll not be far, if you ever need me.”

Published by

kagould17

Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement. I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure. I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.

14 thoughts on “Last Coffee with a Friend”

  5. What a beautiful poem you have written for your friend Allan. And a lovely gesture that you carried his photo with you on your trip. Your memories of him will be with you always. We are both so sorry for your loss

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    1. Thanks for your kind thoughts Ann and Terry. Much appreciated. June/July were tough for us with this loss and the passing of my brother-in-law. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan

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