Alfie Piano Soul
Five More Minutes
Remembering Alfie, from his owner
Remembering Alfie
The morning walk used to be something to fit in before work. Alfie preferred a few minutes at the bench by the river. His owner remembers a difficult winter when those short walks got him out of the house. As Alfie grew older, it was his turn to set the pace.
An original example with an imagined story.
You'd stop beside the river At the bench with the broken slat I'd check the time on my phone You'd put your chin down flat I'd say, "Come on now, Alfie" You'd look the other way There was nothing much to do there You just wanted us to stay
I thought we came for walking Till I learned to sit beside you
Five more minutes Let the river take its time Let the people hurry past us Let me leave the phone behind Five more minutes With your head against my knee I was always taking you out You were bringing me back to me
There was a winter I went quiet Left the dishes in the sink You would lay across my slippers Till I had to move my feet We'd go as far as that old bench Some days that was all You never needed me to talk You were happy with a walk
Then the hills got harder for you So I learned to take them slowly
Five more minutes Let the river take its time Let the people hurry past us Let me leave the phone behind Five more minutes With your head against my knee I was always taking you out You were bringing me back to me
I went down there on Sunday With no lead around my hand Sat a little to the left Like you'd need room to land A runner asked if I was waiting I said, "Just catching my breath" Alfie, all those ordinary mornings I didn't know what we had yet
Five more minutes Let the river take its time I can hear the water moving I can let the world go by Five more minutes That's the thing I'd ask you for Not another perfect summer Just our morning, once more
At the bench with the broken slat I'd sit a little longer And leave my phone at home