After So Much Time (Poetry)

im M.A.S. 30.06.51 — 13.06.05

How did this happen? —
this unlikely tale
you gone — me still here
this wasn’t the way
things were meant to go

We were supposed to
grow old together
fill up the gaps in
each other’s stories
co-write the future

Always so steady
even in childhood
goodness unfailing
our lifelong friendship
taken for granted

We shared such a lot —
the big events we’d
talk about for years —
weddings ... having kids
all the joys and woes

Early fifties when
cancer cut you down
now try as I might
to accept you’re gone
I can’t — it feels wrong