My secret hiding-place
I told no one
hid from my peers
there I did run

when I was chided
at home for being lazy
dad and mum were anxious
lest I'd not make it to uni-

tears I shed sitting
by a silent stream
nursing my wound
the image crept into my dream

ever since even
as I'm an old man now
dad and mum are long gone
I've thought of them anyhow

as past memories flash back-
if only I hadn't caused them pain
( hard I did work, a degree I did obtain
but they had departed then)-

as I sit under the same oak tree
in this unknown woodland
no words of comfort can I find
my parents' hearts now I truly understand