Funeral for a friend

Funeral for a friend

 

 

 

Fumbling through yearbooks,

I came across one

that was missing.

It was my senior year

and he was the junior.

Looking back

I recall with absolute clarity

the inscription he wrote,

how he dotingly told me that one day

I would look back and remember.

 

My fingertips traced

his every word,

smudges of paper mate blue

from the salt water of tears.

 

He wrote  

it was him I would never forget…

 

I haven’t yet.

I haven’t yet.

Author's Note

I was the senior, and he was a junior. He was also by brother’s best friend, and I didn’t want to risk my brother losing that friendship, for anything that would have happened between us. He wrote in my yearbook that I would look back on the night of my prom, and never forget that it was him who wanted to take me, but I wouldn’t let him. He signed my yearbook, as “the junior in love with the graduate”. I lost the book through two moves over the course of many years, and he was tragically shot and killed in a hunting accident just a year later, five months after his graduation. That is where this poem came to its fruition, following his funeral. I never found the yearbook, but my heart remembers the blue of ink, indelible upon my heart.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

Such a sad story. No wonder it has stayed with you. My yearbooks look like the dead sea scrolls, but the faces and feelings are still fresh. The title made me think of Elton John's song.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for reading and reviewing this one, Sam. It means a lot to me that you did.

[Papaya]

Kelly,
This is one those poems that makes your chest feel tight and your eyes well up.
One day to the next, you never know I guess...

You wrote this beautifully of course but that is the standard with you.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your reviews have a way of speaking volumes. Thank you, Ana!

[Papaya]

You are very welcome.

[Chris Shaw]

Touching to read. He is part of your tapestry, you won't ever forget him. Tragic that his young life ended the way it did. Truly poignant Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I still feel his presence whenever I read this. Thank you, Christine!

[Pash]

Out of something so tragic something so beautiful was created.
Simply beautiful and breath taking.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, David. I appreciate that!

[C. Lee Battaglia]

I struggle with Anxiety and depression. It sucks sometimes but the cure that I've found is to write! It's the most joyful thing that I do. Just write! It will take away those pains and hardships. I would also like to say that you have real potential in your writing and I am Genuinely surprised how amazing your writing style is! It was fantastic and I just wanted to let you know that you could even one day be a published author/writer if you wanted to! Keep smiling, keep writing, and most importantly. be you! You have a talent and this is a talent that all people should see and read!
I have a story here about my best friend called "The Blonde Girl", you don't have to read it if you don't want to, but I felt like I should share it with you. :)

Your friend,

C. Lee Battaglia

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/chasebattaglia/1445363/

[Kelly Scheppers]

I believe writing can be very healing. It is indeed a catharsis that I have come to rely upon in life many times. Thank you for the lovely compliments. It is so rewarding to have them touch my heart in such a way that you have here. I will be glad to read your story!

[C. Lee Battaglia]

You are right and most welcome! and thank you very much!

[George Coombs]

Beautiful writing Kelly and a great tribute to your friend. You bring out so clearly the truth that the ones one loves one will never forget. They are, in a very real sense, among us always. Asyou rightly suggest, the heart will never forget, in the places of your heart known only to you this dear man will be with you always. St. Paul suggested that 'love never dies' I am sure that he is right

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you so much, George...and welcome!

[George Coombs]

Your welcome Kelly,

[Gee]

After reading your authors note the true sadness of the piece hits home. What a beautifully sad memory to have in your life, in a perverse way I feel you are lucky to hold this.
Wrote a piece a while back called "Twelve shoes" which a funeral director asked for permission to put up in his premises.....probably to scare away customers !!
Morning Kelly, hope you are well.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I feel lucky by having his memory ever present with me. I imagine he's wearing this big ear to ear grin up there in heaven - knowing he was right about how I would look back and remember! Many thanks to you, Gordon!

[Gee]

To him you'll be forever young and no doubt as pretty as a picture :)
Twas my pleasure

[Effie]

It is difficult to see the missing faces. My best friend died just a short time ago and I have her picture, her phone number with her personal ringtone, "Best Friends" that I have been unable to remove.
I am sure you will always remember. Very well done. Thank you for sharing this touching write.

[Kelly Scheppers]

May we carry them with us, and make them proud! Thank you, Effie!

[Effie]

Remembering always...You are very welcome.

[Neville]

Just reading these words through will be enough to get many folk reaching for the tissues without any doubt at all. For my part, I must confess to having acquired a lump in the throat. An excellent account of a very personal & emotionally charged series of events that will undoubtedly stay with you forever............Neville

[Kelly Scheppers]

It still gets to me, Neville. Many thanks for the kindness of your words!

[Neville]

Understandably so and it most surely will. Take care now Kelly & go well..................Neville

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

So sad-those ‘what might have been’ moments that we “look back and remember”...love your imagery “smudges of paper mate blue” and the emotional resonance of the repetition of the last two lines...the yearbooks that are imprinted on our minds and hearts- so true. Tears for a too-soon and tragic end. I remember too. Beautiful write.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you so much, Annette...so good to have you as a friend!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

........:))!