it must be
twenty years or so
since I was here

twenty years since
I held her hand
before what was to be
unbeknown to me
her longest sleep

we had talked
about our kids
and the future
without her protection
that had cost her dear

if only I had known
that those pains
in her head
no optician could solve

perhaps I could have been
quicker
more pushy
about her going
for a check-up

but she was
a free spirit
impossible to move
when her mind
was made up
her Mum's shopping
her grandson growing
big and strong
my damned typing
all came first

so here we were
her thanking me
me thanking her
hand in hand
side by side
as the light
flickered out
or did just a bit
of it transfer
to me

I lost
and found
the dearest friend
that January morning

03/10/2010