"Before I"

before I return the childhood memories

to their dusty

attic box

maybe I will write my

initials in the dust

just to let you know

PP woz ere


before I close the classroom

door once more

close not slam the door

this time around

since I am an adult now

and have no need any more

for slamming doors


but before I leave the

distant past

behind this time

I shall take one final backward glance

take a moment

to light a candle

in my mind

for two old friends

both of whom were

gone too soon