A tumbleweed gently rolls by,
pushed by a gentle breeze
across weeds growing in cracks
through an abandoned street,
covered by years of silt and dust.
Walking along, cold reminders
of past lives reveal themselves:

Pieces of railroad track lie broken,
where once was a major entryway
bringing in supplies and new neighbors...

The shell of an old tavern, once
the center of town, entertaining
friends and creating new lovers...

A rusty seesaw on the edge of town,
where mothers would take their young
to play with others, and gossip.

What happened to you little town?
Where is the laughter of your children? ...
the flirting smiles of lovers? ...
the flourishing commerce?
Where did it all go? Why did it leave?
A terrible storm, or perhaps
a deadly disease or famine?

Never approach those placed in our lives casually.
Smile at everyone you meet,
Laugh hardily with your friends,
Love your mate passionately...
everyday.
Never say "we have tomorrow",
For who knows if tomorrow will come,
and the next day your life becomes
nothing but a ghost town
leaving you with only memories of once was.