On the Loss of An Old Friend

Old Old is a key word Old friend Old friend come to the end End End is THE word End of my old friend End is REALLY the word At first the news is surprising shocking The news is mystifying My reaction surprising I can't believe myself! I can't believe I feel no sorrow - At first Can't believe I'm debating what to eat for lunch Can't even believe I'm hungry The day wanders on much as usual Just a thought every hour or two I do chores watch television Retire at the usual time But then I lay in bed thinking Oh not so much of my old friend - at first - But thinking on that word become a reaper The end! Reminiscing restless His voice just a week before on the phone I can hear it clearly All the sophisticated lively overtones Now I can't believe he's gone Is life really like that? I'd never thought much about it - The end Surprised again And morbidly I think only of myself my age - MY end Is life really like that? I'm thinking of all my old friends now Friends now gone Yes! Shock! Life ends! Now a few sick resentments jealousy comes back His brilliance for example Which it suddenly occurs makes no difference now In fact goes on his plus side And then his age - 14 years younger than myself I never thought I'd outlive anybody All those dead friends I count remaining years Adding Subtracting Weighing countless possibilities The bed covers becoming cement hard heavy His death finally sets in Finally I'm saddened by death of my old friend And the great loss lingers Lingers All the good times All the warmth All the confidences His death no doubt will linger linger Over time (I'm thinking) his death will Gradually Grow softer fainter All dissonance forgotten The warm blanket of memory Blessedly...... Covering....... I sleep