- a long-time friend of mine... he's the one who invited me on PoetBay in June 2005... we were active on another poetry website together for a couple years before then, and a few more here.  We were very close... his health sadly failed him, and he's passed away.  Trying to come to terms with it.

I recently found out
I'll never hear from
You again.  Your
Journey came to
Its end; you're gone.

Trying to wrap my
Head around this very
Sad news.  We won't
Be laughing, or chasing
The day together anymore.

The soreness this brings is
Hardly explainable with words.
A world without you - the
Thought tries to drill a
Settlement with that truth,

While my heart tries to
Not succumb to the pains
Of this blatant unfairness.
Left only wishing we could
Still spill ink and laugh...

To say that I'll be
Missing your friendship,
Our times together, and
Your beautiful poetry,
Doesn't begin to describe it.

The void is unmistakenly
Growing by the day, and
Being forced to get used to it
Rams into me, knocks my breath:
I can only miss you now.

As best as I can, I'm holding back
The tears for fear a floodgate
Will burst. I know you wouldn't
Want me to be so taken by sorrow,
But I also know you'd understand.

Having to say goodbye is
Beyond heartbreaking, to say
The least. Dearest friend,
I have always loved you,
And I always will, as you know.

It's the end of our union,
But not a day will go by
Without you in mind and heart.
All these years we've shared,
They're an indelible part of me.

Thank you for your love,
Your caring words,
Your talents you shared,
For being a friend to so many
Of us who were in need of one.

The difference you made in
My life, the connection we had,
These things are unforgettable.
I had the chance of knowing you,
And I'll forever feel grateful.

I never told you this, I don't think,
But about your tagline, that used to invite:
         Twist me into the shape of love
Well, I always found that invitation
Difficult, 'cause the shape of love was
Already in my face, in the form of you!

This is our last wink sadly...
Goodbye, old friend. I'll forever miss you.