The sky is dark
The hour, it is late
I’m having trouble accepting
My good friends fate
I know not where to begin
About this person known as Wally
He had so many traits
All of great quality
Wally Wally was what I called him
As our friendship grew
Such a mellow beautiful person
As all his cycling buddies knew
A voice that was calming
Never ever sounding mean
Behind that sexy, crooked smile
Dwelt an exceptional human being
I cannot remember many rides
That he didn’t take part
Be it long distance or local
Wally was always there to start
My first ride for MS
As I conquered the 150th mile
Across the parking lot strolled Wally
Bringing me a beer with that trademark smile
He’ll continue to ride patiently with Jack
There will not be a turn that he’ll leave Tom and Nora
They’ll not be a moment as we mount on our bikes
That we’ll not feel his presense and his sweet aura
My thoughts go back to a little over a week
As near his house on the grass I stood
I was thrilled and let him know how I enjoyed his ride
Grinning he uttered “Dee, I knew you would”
Lexington horses will whinnie
“Oh where is our friend?
He never misses our century
Is he around the bend?”
The seagulls will circle
Near the ocean so blue
Looking for their friend
That, through rain or shine, was so true
From Saint Mary’s to Sistersville
How our hearts will ache
For we cannot ignore the void
Our missing friend will make
Can it be expressed in words
How the MS community will mourn?
Wally volunteered his time
To help mend lives MS has torn
I refuse to wear black
Though in respect traditionally I should
I will celebrate my friends life in bright color
And I can hear “Dee, I knew you would”
Dee Paterno