Once upon a time
but I wasn't there
not part of the plot
of a fairy-tale-

now here I am
can only say
I was a little boy then
life was my daily play-

the radiance of innocence
smiles without guile
purity of heart and soul
that made angels cry-

life the restless ceaseless river
once had a glimpse of what was I
it didn't stop nor speak a word
nonchalantly it sped by-

there wasn't 'once upon'
fairy-tales are  just dreams that lie
time ravages all hopes, love and hate
it's long past my hour--now it's goodbye