Charley was the brother of my cousin’s only aunt,

He farmed across the river

On the land that he did plant,

One Spring he set to pray for rain

When March winds came and swirled,

But raindrops never fell,

Plowed fields went to hell,

Empty was the well…..then Charley left this world.

Charley was the father of my cousin’s cousin Ben,

And even though they were close

They’d argue here and then,

Now Ben wishes he could take back

Words that he said wrong,

But I guess it’s just too late,

The writing’s on the slate,

Just chalk it up to fate…..’cause poor ole Charley’s gone.

Charley was the uncle of my cousin Willie Ray,

Willie Ray had promised to visit

On that fateful day,

It was a two hour drive from Memphis,

Memphis, Tennessee,

But he changed his mind and slept,

The minute hands soon they crept,

He woke from his dreams and wept…..and now Charley’s soul is free.

Charley was the widower of my cousin’s aunt Louise,

She was his high school sweetheart

He called her his main squeeze,

They’d go for Sunday rides

In his beat up pickup truck,

But then he was alone,

Life rung a different tone,

The good times turned to stone…..and Charley’s heart gave way. Charley he went away. Yeah, old Charley went away.

by John Patrick Seekamp  c  2018