THE DARCYS

                I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN YOU

  The year was nineteen seventy two, our family 
  Made a visit to Yorba Linda
  to see the house we would be moving into. It 
  Was still a wood frame but would
  be completed soon. I recall being outside when 
  My brother Gary and Bob just met.
  We left that day and soon returned to stay, 
  Off the freeway and up over that big hill
  to a new place.  I was ten years old, starting again 
  In a place full of hills and kids.
  The Darcys were the first family we knew, way back 
  In nineteen seventy- two.
  First of all there was their dad, Ed Darcy was a very nice
  Man, voice a bit rough.
  but I was just a kid so I'll give him a break. I think back 
  To how nice he was, Inviting
  me to an Angel game. I was standing in my yard, they 
  were leaving and I was so excited
  when I was asked.  I'm not sure but I think he worked 
  For the airlines, Thank you, Mr. Darcy.
  There was their mother, Rose, always as nice as could be, 
  With what sounded like an accent.
  I remember going places with her in that light blue VW bus, 
  that was the color I still see
  She let me stay the night a few times, I remember you, 
  Rose Darcy, thanks for the memories.
  Genie, and I hope I spelled it right, was the oldest of four 
  children, I do recall her face and smile.
  But we didn't hang out as I was much younger, I 
  Remember, As you were a Darcy.
  I have many memories of Bob, He may be surprised, but I 
  Thought of him as an older brother.
  Do you remember your bed, where there was another bed, 
  You pulled out like a drawer?
  Bob played catch with me, from one side of the street 
  To the other, he threw that baseball.
  I can't believe he was fourteen and I was eleven, 
  he started me on a stamp collection that I
  loved year after year. I remember Bob jumping in our pool 
  when it was freezing, crazy!
  From nineteen seventy- two to seventy three, I knew this 
  family, it seemed like a long time.
  Thanks for being a friend, Bob, I think of you from a lifetime 
  ago, a dream, don't you know.
  Do you remember when Ken and you rescued a cat from 
  the sewer? so dirty were you.
  I may not spell their names correctly, but Paska and Zeebo 
  Were a mans' best friend.
  Hey! Bob, I watched you pitch down at the old little league 
   field, I was eleven and that was cool.
  Thanks so much Bob, for being you, I remember your voice, 
  And laughter too.
   Hello! Ken, you were twelve and thirteen too, at times you 
  appeared mean, older than me.
  You showed a smile and a glare, in your heart there was care, 
  You were funny and kind.
  Remember when Bob and you made candles in your garage? 
  melting the wax, using the dye.
  different bottles, or jars. I walked up and down the street, 
  selling door to door, tired feet.
  The Fourth of July and fireworks, do you recall as I do,
  walking or riding bikes  to the
  Firework stands? Summer heat, a coke, and a swim in the pool, 
  pool, those were the days.
  I remember you guys had homemade Ice cream one time, 
  to an old friend named Ken.
   Last but not least, was a little girl called Carolyn,  I don't 
   recall the name but she
   went to a school where there were animals, she was friends 
   with my sister, Kathy.
   I do remember you, Carolyn, you referred to your brothers 
  As Bobby and Kenny.
  I remember your smile, I remember you all from a lifetime ago. 
  nineteen seventy two,
  and seventy three. 

                Keith Garrett