My heart longs to return once more,
To a faraway place I lived before.
Free from any worry, free from care,
Surrounded by family everywhere.

Plenty of happiness and sunshine,
Childhood memories cloud my mind.
My whole world suddenly changed,
Everything so completely rearranged.

No more lovely trees for me to climb,
Why was everyone moving at one time.
Where was my sweet Granny going to be,
And what about my Poppa, where is he.

Things seem to be taking place so fast,
So many memories now left in the past.
The hurt I still feel deep in my heart,
Generations of our families torn apart.

Where is this place we are moving to,
Why do we have to start somewhere new.
Everything seemed to me to be just fine,
Now we are all leaving everything behind.

Why don’t they feel the happiness here,
Being close to everyone, we hold so dear.
Why is money so important to everyone,
Can’t we just stay here and still have fun.

These are all questions that still haunt me,
The ones from which I cannot break free.
If there was a way to change it all I would,
Our lives spent close together as we should.

Families sharing times and lots of love,
Given the true blessings from God above.
Sadly there is no way I can return anymore,
Things will never be the same as before.

© Brenda Sparkman
May 20, 2005

Midi Playing: "Hope" © Margi Harrell

"Tomorrow" © Brenda Hoddinott
You MUST have permission to use her artwork