What do you say to the friend who promised never to leave — and almost kept it?
My dearest friend, who brought love and compassion,
you saw beneath my mask to my crushed heart.
While you lay and I caressed your soft hand,
your gentle whisper promised we’d not part.
My dearest friend, who brought light and pleasure,
inside your eyes, I saw when we first met.
With each breath, I saw some of your light fade;
we sat silent and felt the bright sun set.
My dearest friend, who brought joy and laughter,
we said just one more day, one more good time.
Promised we’d dance again, that we would laugh,
but we knew we’d reached the end of our line.
My dearest friend, who brought thought and drama,
we knew this adventure would not be shared.
Our hearts unlocked so you could fly free,
but our souls would be forevermore paired.
My dearest friend, who brought strength and comfort,
God wanted you back and we had no choice.
We stared at the forked road ahead of us,
and with your weary voice: “Not this time, my dearest friend.”
—H, still listening for the whisper
