I don't recall the immediate feeling I had when I learned of Jim's untimely death, only that I was in a state of disbelief. Then, to learn of the nature of his passing, spawned every type of emotion which lay inside me. It had only been months past, that we celebrated the movement of his youngest son into the eyes of manhood. A man, who always had a smile on his face, and I had never seen him happier.

I miss you my friend...

Palm Sunday

A tree this day I put to root
I needed to see life
I worked by hand and tattered boot
To wrestle with my strife

My first reaction, disbelief
Succumbed to sudden anger
My reason sought out quick relief
The heart, felt so endangered

I needed life to lift me up
Beyond contriving acts
That beckoned you to make this choice
Why can't I know the facts

Never will my eyes portray
The burdens in your cart
Which felt the need to cut away
That loving, caring heart

What caused this turmoil in your soul
To this day I still ponder
One so strong to cause my friend
To run from life, to flounder

We paved a friendship based on trust
Why did you leave me out
Instead I watch this friendship rust
We've lost the final bout

Damn the soliloquy that you chose
Why now this sudden change
Your pain is now released, it rose
Yet mine remains deranged

The water in my eyes still flow
When transfixed at the thought
Of the talks we had, the walks we took
And the battles that we fought

The willow takes my tears away
Has become my confidant
It listens now to what I say
But isn't what I want

I miss you friend, I always will
Remember what we shared
I only wish you took the time
To remember that I cared

Author ~ Paul J Haldy