Burning Candles From Both Ends

He was my friend 
For just a few years,
Our friendship cemented
Over ciggies and beers,
And chatting up birds
On long boozy nights
And standing back to back
In barroom fights.

We had an arrangement
That we never abused
We drank on credit
In the bar we used,
,Every two weeks
When payday came around 
Even the comrades knew 
Where we’d be found.

Standing at Elli's bar 
We patiently waited
Whilst our tally was
Carefully calculated.
With the account settled
That was when
With the first drink
Our tally started off again.

We were last to,leave
Every single drinking night
And I swear sometimes
It was almost first light.
When his postings came 
We said goodbye
Promised to keep in touch
But we neither did try.

For a little while
I tried to carry on
But it wasn't the same
With him being gone. 
I heard he carried on
Just the same
And every now and again
I'd hear his name.

I'm pretty certain he's dead
After all these years
Fron too many ciggies
And too many beers   
But he was my mate
My very best of friends
When we burned our Candles 
From the middle and both ends
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Volumes Avatar
October 2, 2022 at 2:52 PM
Its comforting to know that good friends when they part, make the good times together, remain in our heart. Could relate to your well written poem Terry. Thank you I really enjoyed it.
Seeker Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 1:21 AM
Terry ~ What a delight it is, to read this heartfelt, nostalgic emote, so exquisitely crafted
Ireland Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 1:50 AM
Thank you so much. Strangely and purely by chance went up again after 45 years, had a really good chat for hours and the he disappeared again.
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