One careful owner the ad would read
and to a point it would be true
I wouldn't mention the other six
who weren't as careful with me as you

Low mileage, well that might be so
but the chassis a little worn
and thank fully the brakes are good
but you can always blow the horn

Built for comfort, not for speed
sounds accurate to me
The upholstery's seen better days
for yourself you should come see

But if you feel like a test drive
pick up the phone and grab a pen
and we'll make a date the two of us
to get me on the road again.

From the time he was a little boy
He wanted to be a soldier real bad
To wear big boots and a uniform
to look just like his dad

Although he'd never met the man
Many pictures had he seen
Of daddy as a soldier
being inspected by the queen.

There's a shoebox in the cupboard
With daddys medals and beret
And a letter Johnny never read
about how daddy passed away

The Falklands war was halfway done
but wars are always hell
and The Battle of Goose Green
is where Johnny's hero fell

As soon as he was old enough
despite his mothers pleas
Johnny joined the army
though she begged him from her knees

It seemed he was a natural
a born soldier like his dad
who looking down from up above
would be so proud of his lad

He had an honesty and integrity
that his advancement did effect
A natural heroic *******
you could not help but respect

So when war came around again
this time in old Iraq
Johnny proudly did his duty well
not just the once, for he want back

28 years ago we said goodbye
almost to the day
this time we're here for Johnny
who war also took away

Johnny was my friend
a man I truly loved
No wife or children left behind,
his family's given enough

Break out the candles
grab the wine
go find the matches
while there's time

Turn on the wireless
find the music for the mood
perhaps some popcorn
before there's no time left to brood

It's gotten colder
you feel a chill run down your spine
no need to worry
you're well prepared, you'll be just fine

You hear her coming
no more the gentle breeze
The dust is flying now
gets in your eyes then makes you sneeze

Batten down the hatches
it's really gonna blow
pull your armchair to the window
settle in and watch the show.

She's right on time
grab a blanket, wrap up warm.
light the candles, pour the wine
enjoy your first date with the storm

You drive me nuts and make me crazy.
Take my wits to their very ends.
But in spite of this I'm certain,
Life's much better with you, my friends.

You helped me turn a corner yesterday
To see there truly was another way
I was floundering and lost
wallowing in the cost
But you somehow knew the words you had to say

I had somehow managed to lose myself
But you could see me there in plain sight on the shelf
You knew where I was coming from
convinced me what I thought was wrong
took my shattered heart and nursed it back to health

I wish that I could find the words to show
the gratitude that you already know
I carry you inside my heart
as did right from the start
you're now with me every single place I go

Needless to say I'd gladly do the same for you
after all I know what you are going through
the fact you put that to one side
to convince me I shouldn't hide
is the noblest thing a friend could ever do

And so today is the first day of my new start
A life in which I want to actually take part
I owe so much of it to you
My friend so beautiful and true
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

How can thank you be enough
for what you've given me
Your words of kindness, have my friend
allowed this blind old fool to see.

I wonder what its like
to be a poet free of strife
could you even be a poet
with nothing gnawing at your life

If life was daffodils and butterflies
and you were happy with no doubts
could you turn that into poetry
would you have stuff to write about

I can see if life turned you around
you could write about your past
but what if life was always perfect
a total and utter blast?

Somehow I think you'd manage it
because no matter how great life looks
its not until you've lived their life
you see into every darkened nook

Because what seems so great to all without
is seldom that great inside
the obits are full of perfect lives
cut short by suicide.