Come! old friend, the hour is getting late
We’ve all of us a job to do, and mines to close this Gate!
If you’d have taken time to learn, the things you should have known,
You wouldn’t still be sitting there, and feeling all alone.

A while I pray! Just let me wait a while
I can’t believe there’s no one here to bring me just a smile.
Has all my life, been such a waste, that it sholud end with nought?
When in that life, so many there, my guidance they had sought.

Come! old friend, you always knew the way,
Whene’er there were hands to hold, or things they had to say.
Don’t take it all upon yourself, this troubled burdened fate,
Hurry now! and step inside, and let me close this gate.

A while I said! I feel that I must wait,
Why do you rush? What is it then? You think we shall be late?
You see! Look yonder! Now I understand,
Do you not see, within the darkness, one extended hand?

Come! Old friend, there's only you and me,
There’s no one else, or anything for you to do or see.
Come along and step inside, the hour is getting late,
I shall not wait one moment more, before I close this gate.

The hand! you see, it’s reaching out to me,
Just one more soul, or tired mind, who needs a friend like me
So close your gates, I cannot walk within your realms this night.
You see the hand, which reaches out, is searching for the light.

I see old friend, I see your task, to you it seems well known
But you can rest assured one day, I’ll meet you all alone.
For no one seeks the seeker, just as no one guides the guide,
And at your journeys end my friend, these gates I’ll open wide.

I thank you friend, till then I’ll fare thee well,
For I have still so many of my stories left to tell
But if you’re right, and one day soon, I stand here at your gate,
It shall be that there is no need, for me to make you wait.

Lines composed in early 1993 during a period of despondancy

Maélwys /|\