My Long , Long Trail Of Tears

I should have known I'd cry this way .
I just forgot somehow .
Although I shed them years ago ,
The last ones fell just now .

I held your picture in my hand
And teardrops fell like rain .
I saw that twinkle in your eyes
And was a child again .

My love , your gift is one fine thing
That makes it all worthwhile .
The wait of more than forty years
To see your childhood smile .

I tried for years to just recall
The way you used to be .
Then when I saw your photograph ,
It all returned to me .

The flaming love that I once felt ,
Was just as it had been .
Delivered with your precious gift
Of how you looked back then .

There's nothing more for me to do ;
But sit , and stare , and cry .
I'm much too old to do much else
Before my time to die .

There's nothing more for me to say ,
I've told it all to you .
My love , you are the one affair
I've had my whole life through .

I guess it takes a little time ,
Just more than forty years .
I know I cut it long ago ;
My , long , long trail of tears .

GREENWOLFE 1962