I’d left the garden,
Selfish wind of confusion
Carrying me to other soils.
I took for granted the beauty,
Forgot the sweet fragrances
Of the allies on my own land,
And when I returned,
Death had stolen you away -
One by fire,
Two by drunk drivers,
One by age and time.
So long ago.
Where did I go
That you were not?
Why did I stay away,
Not call, not write, not know?
Bereft.
I heave sobs of loss;
Retch up rotting pools of neglect.,
I have no one to blame but myself
Slashed by the grave razor
Of thinking I knew my way.
Now you are gone,
My teachers, friends,
My guides.
You've all gone on without me
And I cannot see.

01/14/2005

Author's Note: I recently found my way back to a beloved group of friends, only to discover that during my time gone, four of my dear friends had passed away.

Posted on 01/14/2005
Copyright © 2025 Alison McKenzie