I Wore Those Pages Thin

For my friend Havoc Hewitt a really good guy...

I Wore Those Pages Thin

 

I swear I wore the pages

of that old poetry book

tissue thin

The one he bought me on the

occasion of my thirty-seventh

Do you remember?

Making Love by Picador

I remember it so well although

the year of publication

now eludes me….

 

Some of those pages were loose

even then and when I last checked

others simply fell apart

or crumbled into yellow dust

between my thumb and fore finger

That was the moment I knew

he loved me and I loved him….

 

Today though on the

occasion of his leaving

It is not those pages

That take me back along

the long walk to Sydenham Road

 

No, it is the fact that having

left his body to medical science

I was cheated of a grave or marker

And now a whole year has passed

and I am beginning to forget

It will soon be time to mourn again

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

He really was one in a million......

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Your heartfelt tribute is told with some twists & turns that leave me in a mysterious spot, as far as interpreting how this went in your specific situation. I love the symbols you use to SHOW instead of tell, plus your way of remembering is so original. Your ending is heartfelt, reminding us how the memories fade too fast, & as we grow older the occasions for remembering also accumulate too quickly, huh? (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

Bless you Margie... you are of course always appreciated and likewise very insightful too........ Neville

[alanwgraham]

You have composed a beautiful tribute to your good friend Neville. Your image of the thin pages crumbling to dust, as we ourselves do, is very powerful. It is sad not to have a grave to visit but it is perhaps not too trite to say that he will always be present in your heart.
Yes, life throws all sorts of things in our path.
All the best,
Alan

[Neville]

You Sir are a Godsend....... Neville..

[Mrudula Rani]

You wore those pages thin, but the memories of this wonderful human being will forever be fresh in your mind. Memories are the only treasure we are left with in end.(it will be18 months this May, since I lost my second brother. I wear the pair of gold earrings he gave me every day.)

[Neville]

Bless you Mrudula.......peace & all good things, Neville

[sette]

he was a good man to give you an unforgettable treasure like this

[Neville]

He was indeed, real name Stephen Hewitt and thank you dear sette..... N

[sette]

no problem my friend

[Chris Shaw]

Havoc was also a most generous man Neville. The poetry book he gifted you, which you treasured through the years so loved and used, it is falling apart and the fact that he donated his body to medical research. That is an incredibly generous thing to do. I understand your feelings though, of not having somewhere to go to pay your respects. That can be difficult. I have the same with my younger brother. However, I find a quiet place and reflect on his life and our relationship, and have his photo on my sideboard, and that keeps me going. Anniversaries are always sad in these circumstances. You have paid a beautiful tribute to him with this piece of writing. A dear friend indeed and missed greatly. Your words tell me that.

Chris

[Neville]

Christine, your insight, empathy and contribution to this page are very much and truly appreciated, he was indeed a good egg......... All Good Things, Neville

[Chris Shaw]

All good things to you too Neville.

[Neville]

,,,,,,,,,x

[emmajoy]

Your writing has a very strange happy-sad feel to it. Read it three times - the language is smooth, natural, sincere - and immensely touching.. Friend's ashes were unoficially strewn into Loch Broom and we have only her memory - hurts but.. what was done was what was requested. There are certain days that bring so much to mind.. and others when things' just hit. However, you and your friend, Havoc, were and are more than lucky best friends always.

[Neville]

Your consideration of these words, together with your own disclosure and personal perspectives are each and all very much appreciated emmajoy and for that, I truly thank you..... Neville