"I haven't seen the Southern Cross since ever so long ago!" ~ Rudyard Kipling

Playing in the surf on Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo by Jerome Shaw

Rudyard Kipling
"The Friends"

I had some friends --- but I dreamed that they were dead ---
Who used to dance with lanterns round a little boy in bed.
Green and white lanterns that waved to and fro:
And I haven't seen a Firefly now since ever so long ago!

I had some friends --- their crowns were in the sky ---
Who used to nod and whisper when a little boy went by,
As the nuts began to tumble and the breeze began to blow:
And I haven't seen a Coco-palm since ever so long ago!

I had a friend --- he came up from Cape Horn,
With a Coal-sack on his shoulder when a little boy was born:
He heard me learn to talk, and he helped me thrive and grow:
And I haven't seen the Southern Cross since ever so long ago!

I had a boat --- I out and let her drive,
Till I found my dreams were foolish, and my friends were all alive.
The Coco-palms were real, and the Southern Cross was true:
And the Fireflies were dancing --- so I danced too!

Rudyard Kipling

from Brazilian Sketches

Sunset on Ipanema Beach Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Photographs copyright Jerome Shaw 2005 / www.JeromeShaw.com