It's Rough

IT'S ROUGH

You stayed with me always, through thick and through thin.
You filled in the holes in my Life.
Though sometimes we'd lose and sometimes we'd win,
With you I could live through the strife.

The greatest companions, inseparable we,
A rarely defeated collection.
But now you are lost; my friends, they can see
That you'll ever elude my detection.

I drove you away; I didn't know then
That I'd hold and caress you no more.
The woods of Life have you, and I know not when
They'll free you and heed my implore.

Oh, agony, agony! When will it cease?
Shall I ever locate you again?
Shall my tormented soul e'er again feel the peace
Of my loved near itself? When, oh, when?

I must struggle on, must fill out my roles.
I shall cautiously watch what I do.
For if I find others to fill in the holes,
I'll take care not to lose one like you.


AUTHOR'S NOTE: This poem was written about a man who lost his favorite golf ball. Don't believe me? Consider this:

The title "It's Rough" refers to the rough on a course (not the fairway).
"Filled in the holes"--obvious.
"Life" capitalized, as in "Golf is my Life!"
"Sometimes we'd lose and sometimes we'd win" the contest.
"Rarely defeated"--again, the game.
"I drove you away" using a driver or wood club.
"Woods of Life" means the trees in the rough of the golf course (golf being Life).

So...was this your first impression of the poem? Would it ever have been? Do you get the feeling you need to take a refresher course on poetry analysis? Hmmm? Do you? Do you think the author belongs in an institution?