You Are Gone

You are gone You remembered my birthday for easily fifty years Every October without fail a card and in later years An optional call or text. Where is your annual autumnal greeting today? This bright sunny afternoon ……. I would expect to hear from you tonight- But you are gone No more birthday wishes from you again I got the news yesterday that the health insurance money Was lodged in my bank Thank you for the present but I’d rather you present than the money It couldn’t have been both – so I’d prefer if it was you If only there’d been one last summer holiday here with you To try and convince you to see sense- To save you from this avoidable death But why go on - why waste my breath? Yes - you are gone No more birthday wishes from you again