This day will be the hardest

I have been dreading it

But here we are

It is time to bury the dead

It is time to let go

It is time to move on

It is time to turn to each other

Those who are still living

To raise a glass

To make a toast

To swear we will always remember

To promise to keep in touch

And unlike at other gatherings

Here I actually believe in these oaths

We have kept them for so long

We will keep them

Until we are the ones being buried

Our friends standing above us

Gently laying the dirt over our faces

And whispering that they will find us

On the other side of the veil

And once again

In this instance

I do believe them

 

There are some people

That never leave your life

No matter how much or little

You keep in touch

They are always at your shoulder

Whispering in your ear

Giving you the hug you wish you had

And reminding you how far you’be gone

Like a mental hitchhiker

They planted themselves here long ago

They have been here so long

You don’t know how to be without them

Even when their bodies give up to the grave

Their ghost still lingers

Saying what you need to hear

Making you smile from the beyond

And reminding you

That some friendships

Never really leave you

 

We say goodbye for now

But they will forever live

In our hearts and minds