Old Friend

~

we make light of our afflictions  

with hollow wry humour and 

compare the quantity of our 

medications as if they were 

gambling chips, which in many

ways they are,

both of us know we have more history 

written than future planned, and

more memories than expectations,

bitter rivals in sport we have

always laughed at the same things

often finishing the other’s comic

quips, quotes and punchlines, 

but we’ve had our go at life and 

the jury’s still out on what sort 

of fist we made of it,

and when it’s time to part, 

our handshakes last that

little longer than usual,

we might even attempt one of

those embarrassing hugs the

young are so fond of these days,

we could never tell each other 

of the love we share, it just 

wouldn’t do, 

look after yourself is the

nearest we ever come to it 

and of course, a hopeful 

‘see you again soon’

*

Graham R Sherwood 05/25