"There's no friends like the old friends." -- James Joyce
They've seen you ecstatic
or when you've been
shook to your core
held steadfast thru storms
their loyalty they swore
They know who you are
the mood you are in
by the look on your face
or that shit-eating grin
Coming from childhood
or that guy at the bar
become part of your life
that's just who they are
The bond that develops
strengthens with the years
witnessing the heartache
and all of the tears
It was always a given
they'd always be there
for times of great joy
and those moments of despair
Like a warm cup of tea
that soothes our souls
or the heat from a whisky
you can feel in your toes
Talking in shorthand
or not at all
their presence alone
would be all you could recall
There vanishing footsteps
from the earth we walk
leave us with our memories
and those times we would talk
The thing with old friends
is they can't be replaced
like a comfy old sweatshirt
their essence you embraced
And when they are gone
they'll be so greatly missed
that part of your past
no longer too exist.
I wrote this poem for a very good old friend who passed away this week… He was found dead alone in his apartment. I had not spoken to him for almost 10 years.., but always knew we were just as tight, as we were, back in the day…
Rest in peace, old friend… You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. So long, Dave.