An Ode To A Friend

I could not but be. I know.

I may not awaken to

Each dawn

With your memory-

Yet, not a day

Passes by,

When, forgotten,

You are.

I know, I could not but be.

In every joy, I may not

Wish to call out to you.

But in every tear,

I miss you.

Devoid of your smile,

Your words,

I feel hollow.

I could not but be. I know.

I may not think of you

In a crowd.

But in the solitude of me,

I find that space

Bleeding,

Where only you,

And you could be.

I know. I could not but be.

In the selfishness

Of a moment,

I let go, of you,

And our yesterdays-

To clutch onto

The tomorrows,

I dreamt of.

I could not but be. I know.

This stranger, I am

Today, has lost a friend.

But the friend

That you have always been

Would forever be.

Sorry, I could not be more-

Sorry, I could not but be.