January 1988

On Parting

headlights run Front Street

all heading away

inside Wendy’s we sit

we three

comrades of other evenings

and other years

we sit

discussing our futures

making our varied plans

away from this focus

our lives soon will take us

away from the warmth

of a sudden evening tea

and get togethers over videos

on rare Monday nights

seven months lie yet

between us

and that coming day

I should rejoice

in the times you’re left to me

but I don’t

the tears of tomorrow drown

the joys of today

I find my dance decay

its steps go leaden

God brought us together

and we grew as friends

for that I give thanks

always

glory to God!

my prayer is now

that someday

in some unknown where

we will meet again

to smile

and laugh

at the yesterdays

once we shared

In Wendy’s of Belleville, “dining” with Cathy and Shirley,

faced with the sudden reality of parting.