I Was Your Friend Once, Don't You Remember?

Stumbled to my door at only a couple feet and inches tall,

Asked if I could come out to play - we played it all.

Talked and watched and shared nearly everything and every day.

Then your family fell apart - but, you and I did not.

You moved away, but no, not too far from me.

Still we talked and our friendship thrived, 

We still hung out and stayed in the other’s life.

But this would not be the last trial…

I would move cross country for more than a while.

Four long years we wrote letters to decrease the miles,

That separated us and threatened to end what we had built.

If ever I took too long to return your letter, I was consumed with guilt.

Then in an early summer I returned to California,

Where you and I resumed a tested and withered friendship.

We laughed and smiled like old times - there was nothing to fix!

At first glance…

It began with your mother - she fell into a liquored trance.

Then our friendship turned into a bother.

We rarely saw each other - we were being smothered -

By school and life and religious views, changes in both me and you.

Funny, I still have your number and you have mine, 

Yet we still can’t seem to find the urge or find the time,

To say “hello” or remind the other,

“I was your friend once, don’t you remember?"

Or is our friendship a ghost, dismembered?

Once beautiful and existing, now dead and haunting,

But perhaps... somewhere still lingering?

Author's Note

4/17/15

For D.

She's still a dear friend and always will be.

Reviews

[Lorry]

So sad when this happens. Life gets in the way, we grow, while staying in touch, and then the staying in touch becomes less and less, until only a thread connects. But as long as the thread holds, the connection is still there, waiting and hoping to be repaired. Touching and heartfelt words.

[T. Edana Talbott]

Thank you very much, Nemo. I'm happy to say this friend and I still keep in touch.

[Mifa]

A touching piece, kinda took me back a bit in reminiscent thoughts about a dear friend of mine as well. The flow of the poem is great and the tone gives off just the right dose of nostalgia to make it even better. Good one, Edana.

[T. Edana Talbott]

Thank you! Some people say that lost friendships are even worse than romantic breakups. In ways, I agree.

[Mifa]

Me too. Especially when such romance was once sprouted by a powerful friendship.