It Was So Very Long Ago

Once, as counselor I took my client’s side
The matter was important so I could not let the issue slide
But the other party was much offended
Perhaps he thought his honor was contended
Words were exchanged and the battle escalated
With the result being a man who me hated
What it was caused the kerfuffle
I remember not, just that it was a scuffle
I guess we went at it toe to toe
It was so very long ago

The end result of the shouting match
Was that long-term enmity did from it hatch
Each of us knew t’would be a grave mistake
For our paths to cross trouble would make
People would ask me through the years
Over perhaps a couple of beers
Why the angry face and eye-rolling look
What was it caused the donnybrook
Tsk tsk, I’d shrug as if to show
It was so very long ago

Fast forward to the present day
A friend conveyed to my dismay
Another insult from my long ago foe
He’d remarked I was a “so and so”
To my friend it was quite a surprise
I could see it there within his eyes
Had I now fallen in his estimation
To perhaps a somewhat lower station
Maybe there was a reason my foe thought me so low
Although it was so very long ago

My emotions and my anger quickened
And my hot blood boiled and quickly thickened
I was not someone with which to trifle
In days of yore I would have grabbed my rifle
I knew I had to strike him hard
Perhaps I would call him a tub of lard
Sublime would be my jubilation
If I could but cause him humiliation
But it’s hard to find worthy insult for someone you hardly know
And as I’ve already mentioned, it was so very long ago

What was it then that stayed my hand
This attack upon me could and should not stand
Was it rational thought knowing nothing good
Would come from further conflict in my neighborhood
Was I just tired of keeping up feud
When it just upset my quietude
Or was I just getting too soft
To keep the game ball longer aloft
He was likely no more a tub of lard than was I a “so and so”
And after all, it was so very long ago

So with trembling hand I typed sinner to sinner
How about you and I we go out to dinner
The many years we’ve been on opposing teams
We’ve missed out on what good can come from cooperating it seems
With your dealmaking skills I can find no flaw
And I am no slouch when it comes to the law
Telling you the truth I cannot recall
What in the deeps of time caused our squall
Do you still remember – I do not know
And it was so very long ago

So I went out with my proffer of detente
With a moral imperative worthy of Kant
I stewed and simmered thinking of dinner
Would my suggested path turn out a winner
Or perhaps the many insults through our careers
Would result in just some answering jeers
Possibly instead of food and comity satiated
I would just be further humiliated
I hardly knew the man or his status quo
And as I’ve mentioned several times now, it was so very long ago

Upon my countenance there came a great smile
When I received his reply in a very short while
For he said he had the greatest respect
Not least for my taking the first step to deflect
Further negativity between us it was time to detox
After all we are playing in the same sandbox
Let us dine instead and toast the future
And our mutual wounds we will happily suture
He said let’s shake hands and unstring the crossbow
It was so very long ago

So out we went upon the town
Smiles and laughter and nary a frown
Apologies were not even needed
Since to mutual relief hostility had receded
Instead we spoke of how we might help each other
Being now good friends, and with the scotch talking, maybe even like a brother
We toasted, joked and laughed till dinner ended
And after the evening I was befriended
Sometimes good from bad can flow
And, after all, it was so very long ago