Funeral for a friend

Funeral for a friend

 

 

 

Fumbling through yearbooks,

I came across one

that was missing.

It was my senior year

and he was the junior.

Looking back

I recall with absolute clarity

the inscription he wrote,

how he dotingly told me that one day

I would look back and remember.

 

My fingertips traced

his every word,

smudges of paper mate blue

from the salt water of tears.

 

He wrote  

it was him I would never forget…

 

I haven’t yet.

I haven’t yet.

Author's Note

I was the senior, and he was a junior. He was also by brother’s best friend, and I didn’t want to risk my brother losing that friendship, for anything that would have happened between us. He wrote in my yearbook that I would look back on the night of my prom, and never forget that it was him who wanted to take me, but I wouldn’t let him. He signed my yearbook, as “the junior in love with the graduate”. I lost the book through two moves over the course of many years, and he was tragically shot and killed in a hunting accident just a year later, five months after his graduation. That is where this poem came to its fruition, following his funeral. I never found the yearbook, but my heart remembers the blue of ink, indelible upon my heart.

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

I suppose we must all have similar tales from those days of youth when the dice were tossed in the air and where would they land. Also it must be a human trait to think back and ponder what might have been - que sera sera!
Thanks for sharing this very touching story Kelly.
Regards,
Alan

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for that, Alan!

[DIVYA]

Dear Kelly,
In a multitude of friends and loved ones, we look most for the faces that go missing. It is the "smudges of paper mate blue" that remind us how dearly we must learn to love in this fleeting, uncertain life. The way you said it brought on tears...

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your words are quite endearing, thank you!

[DIVYA]

You are most welcome!

[MsJewel]

Oh Kelly - I love the poem, and I love the story behind the poem. Such a heart touching memory and tribute. Hugs, Julie

[Kelly Scheppers]

I still have hopes the book one day will miraculously appear...how happy I would be! Thank you so much, Julie!

[C. M. Miller]

You see it now, in all its timeless clarity. You want to go back, but you cannot. So MANY great and sincere reviews you have received, proving once again than many poets can indeed, speak as one. Question . . . . did you sign his book? If you did, what did you share? If not, perhaps it is time for you to do so. Maybe put it in verse, eh? You know, for closure. But really, is there any REAL "closure?"

[Kelly Scheppers]

I don't recall if I did, but his inscription was the one that inspired this, and I know he's up there smiling from ear to ear. Thank you my good friend for your review today. As always, I too am smiling!

[Ardra]

That's such a touching tribute to his soul....
Often we do not let us enjoy the happiness due to restrictions n situations n timings...and in the end it's all just memories...

Reminds me of the movie- you after me..the letter... you have scored on my heart Clark..... (if you have watched it)
The guy leaves a letter for her which is beautiful... and so is your poem... heart felt and sweet...
Am sure somewhere he is smiling reading ur lines...

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am certain he is smiling down upon me, knowing he was right! Thank you most kindly, Galadriel.

[sinNsincerity]

Nice time capsule Ms. Kelly, yet sad.
"And love lies bleeding in my hand
Oh it kills me to think of you with another man
I was playing rock and roll and you were just a fan
But my guitar couldn't hold you
So I split the band
Love lies bleeding in my hands"
-Elton Jonh

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thanks, David. That's EJ's best LP, in my opinion!

[sinNsincerity]

Mine as well. I worked one of his concerts once and saw his show for free when I used to set up shows at the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario Ca. 'Twas amazing!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Those irreplaceable people, who leave us with those irreplaceable moments! This is the type of writing I admire... sincere, magnetic, and artful. Wonderful piece, and the note makes it that much more impactful.

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's a euphoric feeling when such a comment comes back and touches the poet. Thank you, Travis!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

The pleasure was mine.

[Richard🖌]

Kelly,
You know by now I've read everything you've posted, loved and enjoyed each and every one for its own self, too lazy to review … yeah, I know, I'm the worst kind of fan.
This one is no exception, M'Dear, in that I love it, but I just could not pass by leaving nothing … not this time.
First-off, I envy him for knowing and loving you in person … lucky boy. Now, I envy him for being so engrained into your heart, but love him all the more for the sweetness he brought into your life, even if it's an aching sweetness you'll always feel and never lose.
There is so much beauty in sadness, and no one brings it to life like You.

Bless you, Dear Kelly, for always being my friend, and the first on here to welcome me and make me feel at home … we have some good memories, too, eh? ⁓ Richard ✨

[Kelly Scheppers]

What can I say after a review like this? If I could, I would hang a star on it! Thank you, my dear friend! x

[Richard🖌]

Sometimes, Kelly,
As you know so well, a heart simply over-brims.

[Lorry]

It would have been a wonderful memento to treasure Kelly, but the real treasure is in the memory and the beautiful words you penned here.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...what a beautiful thing to say...thank you so much, Lorry!

[Alfred Kukitz]

reality within the curvature of time space can become convoluted and terribly distraught with sadness. i pray for you kelly for some comfort from this memory.

regards,
al

[Kelly Scheppers]

Many blessings to you, as well, my dear. Thank you!