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

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is very moving
This is sad nostalgic tragic but yet undeniably beautiful

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Julie.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

I read this again
Beautiful poignant

[Kelly Scheppers]

You are so kind to revisit. Thank you, Julie!

[lightsong]

That's deeply moving dear Kelly, reminds me too of my younger brother's friends, the few of them whom looked at me with their "liking" eyes, some of them passed away too, at a young age, Your four ending lines tugged my heart tightly.... really touching.

[Kelly Scheppers]

When you have brother's, it just comes with the territory I think! Lol, thank you, darlin!

[lightsong]

I think so my friend :)

[Coyote Poetry]

A sad and wonderful memory you awoke in your words dear Kelly. We learn, every action and deed done. Become a part of us. Thank you Kelly for sharing these words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Kelly Scheppers]

In writing this, I realized how he'll always be a part of my life, no matter how far I journey from that moment and time that we had. Thank you, John!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Kelly.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what an incredible love story that almost happened....and sometimes just what could have been is better than what was...
reminds me of a couple people....
j.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I suppose we all have had that "what could have been" moment, a time or two in our lives. I have no hopes of ever finding the book, but its alright now, for I have something just as dear to take its place. Many thanks for your kindness, J.

[Chris]

We always have our reasons for causing our regrets... wonder if it all might have somehow been different after all...

[Kelly Scheppers]

...that is what I am left with now, along with the knowledge of knowing he would be happy, knowing he was right! Thank you, Chris!

[Chris]

As so many say - "It is what it is..." sigh