It's Never Far

It's never far to an old friend's house,
And the way is smooth and fine;
The path bears many a telltale mark
Of footprints, his and mine.
Each hill and vale and winding curve
Its youthful fancies lend,
And miles are short when I go forth
To the house of an old, old friend.

The day is always bright and fair
When I, on a friend, do call
Who has been a friend in time and stress
And "stool by" through it all.
Though skies are drear and clouds hang low,
And the outlook's drab and gray;
There's a radiant glow at an old friend's house
That drives the gloom away.

Time never drags at an old friend's house,
And the hours are filled with joy.
He pictures me, I picture him
As a carefree, laughing boy.
Old faces beam with wrinkled smiles,
And the long years brightly blend
In a wealth of treasured memories -
At the house of an old, old friend.

~ Adam N. Reiter