Oh, Bother & Shuffle

Walter never cared for much,
He’d happily wander through days on end.
He’d have no qualms with losing touch,
For what weight the world, when all is well?

He had his simple little pleasures;
A nice cup of tea, a custard cream.
A book set aside on his fire place,
A comfortable bed set solely to dream.

Oh, bother & shuffle, not many would quest,
Not many would trouble the man as he lay.
He’d ask not for anything worth but a dime,
Not anything had he, was worth changing his ways.

But deep beneath smiles, and deeper than dreams,
Poor Walter was longing for more than he knew.
More than a book, cup of tea or a cream,
For Walter sat dreaming, and knew not of who.

And while it was said that he cared for not much,
He showed even less, as he shed behind veils.
The dream never told, was the one of a touch.
The touch of a loved one, that he could share tales.

For Walter once shared such a wonderful time,
With a soul that had power to turn darkness to hope.
But darkness came back, and shadowed his eyes,
And then she was gone, alas she had eloped.

And gone with the madra, the kettle and heart.
Gone with the dreams Walter gave with a kiss.
Gone was the life that now crubmbled apart -
Gone was adventure, this wonderful quest.

And Walter would smile, made of tears and a sigh,
He created this costume to wear for us all.
He’d act out the stranger, but hide away shy.
The poor man he would stumble, he would try not to fall.

For he’d bother & shuffle, he’d take the next step.
He carried his heart and he’d hold it with care.
For Walter would dream, cup of tea and a cream,
For such dreams have meaning, and a longing to share.

And while tears they would fall, on the lonliest night -
The walls of his home would keep storms well at bay.
For now he sat one, and just one with his might –
But dream of that touch, and of sharing his ways.

Oh bless our friend Walter. Alone and subdued.
He’d carry a smile, he would have time for all,
But his dreams are our dreams, are our hopes, are our days –
As he searched and he sighed, as he found his own way.

Written By Shane Ferguson
On The 2nd November 2009