So Long

It's been so long since I've been here,

There's been so much that kept me away,

But this place has been on my mind always,

And now I am back again,

wishing I could stay forever.

It's been so long since I've heard this sound,

I've almost forgotten how sweet it is,

But with my mind I have heard it always,

And now I hear it again,

wishing it would never stop.

It's been so long since I've seen this sight,

My eyes have grown sore at all else I've seen,

But now my eyes rest on the scene before me,

And now I rejoice in it's beauty,

wishing it will never dim.

It's been so long since I've felt this way,

I've been held down by other emotions too long,

But now I wrap myself within this feeling,

And now I take comfort in it's warmth,

wishing it would never leave.

It's been so long since I've been with you,

My empty presence was just a token of myself,

But now I am whole again, and with you here,

And now I will never leave you again,

wishing that I had never gone away.

Paul Allen Rice