Friend of a Friend

(For John Davies)

~

it’s an unusual relationship 

a friend of a friend

becomes your friend, 

not someone you’ll see every day

twice a year, maybe thrice

but across many, many years

of celebrations, madcap parties,

murder mysteries or fancy guise,

gradually the jigsaw of a life 

clicks into place

through shared passions

food and wine and more wine,

long conversations 

stretching into the night

sensing his humour 

spotting his hurt

knowing him 

without really knowing

in a group or one-to-one 

he’s always been just that,

a friend of a friend

now he’s dead and I’ll miss him

*

© Graham R Sherwood 06/23