Ode to a Good Friend

[knpoet]

Ode to a Good Friend

They called to tell me you'd just died.
I thought there must be some mistake;
I felt such an emptiness inside,
Just filled with this great, throbbing ache…

I always thought that you would be there
Whenever I needed a friend;
Now I look around and there's nowhere,
No one on whom I can depend…

Dear, what can I say – I will miss you!
You laughter, your warmth and your smile;
Though right from the start I guess we knew
That we were just here for a while…

I'll miss all our long conversations
On everything under the sun -
And your tortuous explanations
Of how things are coming undone…

I think I will most miss your tall tales
Of exploits bizarre and absurd…
Though sometimes, when pressed for the details,
You claimed that I must have misheard…

You always seemed so full of life, dear –
Now somehow you're just simply gone!
And yet, in a strange way, you're still here -
I guess it's just hard to move on!

~ ~ ~

[JohnFeddeler]

very nice elegy. the pleasant memories will always remain...

[Chelle]

ive never had a friend pass on, but I can think of my godmother when reading this and I hope that she's in somewhere better. I miss her and your words convey that.

[ladylilith]

Isn't it just? Hard to move on I mean. It's as though they linger, or even shadow you, forever. A really touching piece of poetry. I particularly like your solid use of rhyme. I also think this piece can and will reach out to all those that have lost someone. The grief remains, whether it be friend or relative. Thank you for sharing this.

Lily^^

[Robert Haigh]

It comes as a blow when we lose someone dear to us, especially if that departure is sudden. I'm sure all readers will be able to relate to this write. My family lost a dear friend just over a year ago. He was aged just 36. I still think about him every single day. Thanks for sharing.

[ladymaybebaby]

A very tough subject handled beautifully by you my dear! Just the perfect touch of emotions, everything is so controlled... the reader gets a feel for the friends life and not just learning about the death. It is ever so hard to move on... Congratulations on the spotlight and it is much deserved! Thank you for sharing this one with us!

-LMB
xoxo

[tangerinepie]

This made me sad. as I thought of the loss of a dear friend 3 years ago.I can so empathize with the unreality of it, because the finality of the loss is hard to bear.I keep pictures out still of her, and that helps.A very poignant poem that is a well deserved spotlight choice..Tangie..

[Whiskurz]

Kathy, I absolutely love your style....your words almost sing.....Congrats on the spotlight my friend........Whisk

[whubbard7]

Beautiful, just beautiful. No other words really work to give this justice. Congratulations on the spotlight, you deserve it. This really reminds me of my father, who died when I was young. Its sad being close to someone who's older than you and you already know is going to die before you, but when it comes to a close friend... I don't know if I could ever do it...
~WH7

[Jahaliel]

This is just beautiful, I really love the emotion, it is just lovely. Congrats x

[Patdolan83]

This made me think of the relationship I had with my grandfather before his passing. Thank you for sharing this write, I know I would have found it hard to write this without breaking down. Congrats on the spotlight

[inflames]

It is SUPER hard to move on. I definitely resonate with these feelings. Awesome work with this poem and congrats on the spotlight!

[knpoet]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments and congratulations. I am so honored that this piece found a spot in the light. I still miss my friend every day, whenever something amazes me or infuriates me or saddens me or amuses me - my first instinct is to reach out and share with her, knowing (most of the time - she had hidden depths which continually surprised me!) what would be the vociferous and volatile reaction - except that now the sharing has to be confined to my internal musings and memories. Some times, memories are all we have left - and yet, where would we be without these dear memories of those who have passed on; and where would they be, if not held forever dear in our memories of who they were and what they meant to us?

Kathy

[Ladywildalice]

congratulations on your Spotlight. This is a well deserving write and much enjoyed.

[everhopeful]

A perfect choice of form for the theme of this one, and a fitting tribute. I always believe that remembering the good times and qualities of our dearest friends is the most poignant way to appreciate their memory, and while this is an emotive poem I still felt the speaker's smile upon recollecting the shared experiences.
Well penned and congratulations on the spotlight!

[Sasha]

Such an affective write and wonderful tribute!
Indeed, it's just hard to move on, and I think of my grandpa as well while reading this, he'll always be that wonderful memory in my heart and mind.
Beautifully expressed, thanks a lot for sharing, and Congratulations of the deserved Spotlight!

Sash

[knpoet]

Thank you, Ladywildalice, everhopeful and Sasha for your lovely comments. Moving on from loss and grief is never easy, but I think that once we can remember those we have lost with a smile for the happiness they brought us and not just tears for the emptiness their going has left behind, we are starting to move in the right direction at last. My heart goes out to all those who are dealing with their own private loss right now, I hope that time will help ease the pain and sorrow.

Kathy