Traditional Song

When I was a child and days were all
I laughed and teased and called you names
And though you used to plead and call
I would not let you share my games
When I was a boy and days were all
I laughed and swelled to see our names
Entwined in chalk upon the wall
I longed to have you share my games
Remembering is rain among the hills
In ways that shade and shape to otherwise
Memory in the landscape of ourselves
In ways that shade and shape to otherwise
When I was a youth and night was all
I writhed in bed and joined our names
As in your gales I dreamed to fall
Though you had never shared my games
When I was grown and night was all
I learned and eased and cried love's names
And in my heart I heard you call
How you had let me share your games
Remembering is rain among the hills
In ways that shade and shape to otherwise
Memory in the landscape of ourselves
In ways that shade and shape to otherwise
Now we are grown and night takes all
I have forgotten all your names
It is too late now to recall
We never learned each other's games