He Was a Friend of Mine

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He was a friend of mine
Was living on borrowed time
He had nothing left to give alas
Had nothing left to do but pass
And he was a friend of mine 

He never had use for a wife
Craved for himself a better life
Never travelled too far from home
Never feared death or the unknown 
And he was a friend of mine 

He always had a tale to tell
I heard ‘em all and know ‘em well
Forty years we were close he and I
Forty years I watched him slowly die
And he was a friend of mine

He never hurt a living soul
Never found peace in this world
Loved a beer and a rollie cigarette
Loved the mates he made and met
And he was a friend of mine 

He drank now it’s too late
Was the master of his own fate
His sorrows died with him that day
His living demons all cast away
And he was a friend of mine 

I didn’t get to say goodbye 
I didn’t know the end was nigh
Got the news from his hospital bed
Closed his eyes ‘til he was dead
And he was a friend of mine


    Written: November 2023
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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Date: 6/29/2024 7:18:00 PM
Very touched by your loving poem about . your friend. You have a big heart, my friend, No human being should be glad another person died for any reason. Who are we to say get out of our lives . As you notice, life is not made of perfect people. I know you don’t.. but I read the comments. Some were anything but understanding. Pangie Pangie Condolences!
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Romios Avatar
Panagiota Romios
Date: 6/30/2024 11:26:00 AM
My husband died at 40 and it was hard to accept, Keith! Sorry that you lost him.64 is still vey young to me, i hope he has peace and happinessl Reminds me to appreciate the fact I am still here,I am 85. All lives are precious..take care, Keith…Pangie
Trestrail Avatar
Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/30/2024 5:38:00 AM
Thanks Pangie. It’s actually his birthday. He would have been 64 today. Hope you are well.
Date: 6/21/2024 9:44:00 AM
Sometimes watching friends die ends with a "thank God". Walked this walk once or twice. :o/
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Trestrail Avatar
Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/23/2024 12:58:00 AM
Apart from my wife I spent more time with him than anyone else but he was always a tortured soul.
Date: 6/20/2024 1:54:00 AM
When I first read the title I was reminded of a song by The Commodores called ‘Nightshift’. The repeated line “He was a friend of mine” reminded me of it. You use it to great effect here. Your introspective and poignant tribute to your friend, Keith, sums up the fragility of life for me. Cheers - Gary
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Trestrail Avatar
Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/20/2024 3:12:00 AM
It’s inspired from an old traditional folk song called “He Was a Friend of Mine” recorded by many artists. He loved the version off a Dylan bootleg album. Whenever I play it I think of him. Nice to see ya, Gary.
Date: 6/18/2024 5:23:00 AM
Awesome lyric poem with repeating refrain. Is it a true story? Sounds like he led a destructive, lonely life. So sad. My mom died November 1st '23
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Trestrail Avatar
Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/18/2024 6:23:00 AM
I’m sorry to say it’s true. He was my best friend but suffered from a mental condition all his life. He did not lead a destructive life, only a diminished one. Cheers.
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