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

[emmajoy]

How beautiflly sad, Kelly.. choking up here. If only one knew when days offer themselves, chances fly into our lives.. how different the waking each morning. (You) There are people who leave such deep, deep marks in one's heart, who turn life upside down - changing the route we might have taken. And that seems to ring true all the way through your sweet sadness. Hugs, darlin' - as ever and, thank you for sharing.. xx

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you my darlin friend. It was a hard post to put to light, but I am most proud his memory shines through! x

[emmajoy]

His memory always will, always should. Memories are more than precious, especially when .. nuff said. x

[Pete]

this is delicate and special. we never forget those whose path we crossed and a part of them lives in us forever, locked in our hearts. "from the salt water of tears."

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Pete. He's there in my heart, forever.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Haunting lines indeed. Strange how some people and their memories stay with us even when they leave...
Such a moving piece.

[Kelly Scheppers]

So true! ...thank you most kindly.

[barleygirl]

Sometimes when a writer shares something so extensive in author's notes, the poem fails to really deliver the depth of that share. In this case, your poem is definitely as powerful as the story in your author's notes, but in a very different way & it's good to know more about the background as I read this. Good job of conveying the feeling of this entire experience (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kelly Scheppers]

Sometimes those most dear to us are the hardest to capture. I knew my explanation in the author's note was important to understanding how the poem read. Thank you for acknowledging that, Margie!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Sometimes those most dear to us are the hardest to capture. I knew my explanation in the author's note was important to understanding how the poem actually read. Thank you for acknowledging that, Margie!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Sometimes those most dear to us are the hardest to capture. I knew my explanation in the author's note was important to understanding how the poem actually read. Thank you for acknowledging that, Margie!

[...Relic...]

Life is strange. We're here one minute, gone the next. What he wrote is kinda haunting. In fact, this poem itself is haunting from the title to the end.

I'm never disappointed in your offerings Kelly. Excellent job.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I appreciate that more than I can say. Thank you, Tim!

[Dave]

I feel so badly for you. Perhaps though finding the misplaced yearbook has at last brought closure for you. This was beautifully written and expressed.

Take care - Dave

[Kelly Scheppers]

I still haven't found it. I wrote this completely from memory of the night of his funeral, which was the last time I recall seeing it. Thank you for the warmth of your words, Dave!

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

At times things don’t always make sense why they happen the way they do- sometimes we need to be more gentle with ourselves and know that it was meant to be that way- the love shared will never end no matter what- if only we could be braver at times- wonderful words - healing been sent your way 🌹

[Kelly Scheppers]

He was right about one thing, that I would never forget. Many blessings to you, Kelly!

[‘Thoughts In Time’🌹]

And in abundance back at you🌹

[Lydia Shutter]

Poignant to the max, dear Kelly. We all share high school experiences...we all still live there to a certain extent. What if? We always think that. How sad he was taken in a hunting accident. Beautifully written...a tribute to someone who left footprints on your heart and soul! Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

A thousand thank you's, Lydi!

[Einstein Noodle]

oh so sad Kelly...simply and eloquently penned says i! it seems the loss of that yearbook kind of left the wound open ...your poem kind of says goodbye to him and that memento ... i was far from a serous young man in high school ... but many of my friends ended marrying those high school sweethearts and remain so today ...i feel the sweetness of acceptance in your poem Kelly ... and in your remembrances of him .. its the way grief and loss is supposed to heal eh!?
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Gene. It's comforting for me now to read this and to share it!

[Ted Kniffen]

Excellent, Kelly. There are those moments we look back on and wonder 'what if' but then, who knows what changes that would have precipitated.
I have lost many friends over the years. Each brought smiles...and tears. They are missed...but they are always a part of me.

Good write.

[Kelly Scheppers]

To this day, I still wish I had the book in my hands. Thank you, Ted!