All
Sides of Life
white
haired and stooped
silver
haired and slowing
two
men breakfasted every Thursday
corn
beef hash and wheat toast
pancakes
and bacon
one
coffee, one orange juice
smiles
on the side
regular
place, regular booth, regular chat
neighbors
originals
to the neighborhood
catty-corner
back lawn
past
the one with the added hedge
no
fences
history
on their side
kids,
church, couples bridge
dinners,
New Year’s, and Halloween
until
the women passed
one
sudden heart attack
one
lingering cancer
widowers
now retired
no
one by their side
breakfast
tradition began
only
missed by vacation
an
illness, snowstorm or two
years
rolled by, friendship grew
common
ground trod
eggs
or French toast variation
biscuits
on the side
one
met a lady friend
moved
to senior home
the
other stayed with his roots
Thursday
breakfast remained
tradition
upheld
until
the call came
farewell
from bedside
my
dad’s good buddy
gone
now, sad to say
fifty-five
years of friendship
hard
to fathom these days
no
more breakfast tickets
hearty
laughs or retread tales
stay
at home on Thursdays now
stay
inside
(Dedicated to Mr. Thompson - he shall be missed - and to my Dad)
How sad. So many years of friendship. Eventually it came to a close.
ReplyDeletethey had a heck of a good run for a long time. Thanks for reading my poem
DeleteThis is very sad and has just moved me to tears. Beautifully written. I wish your Dad all the best. It's no fun getting old,
ReplyDeletethanks. I sniffled when I wrote it
DeleteOh my. This is sad but also beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to such a special friendship with many wonderful memories.
ReplyDeletethanks. Mr. T was a good decent man
DeleteHi Joanne - must be so sad - I know it is .. but expressing your thoughts does help. Lovely poem showing us your love, and their devotion ... such a great friendship - with thoughts - Hilary
ReplyDeleteOhh..that makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
thanks Al. They had fun. That's the key (and good breakfasts)
DeleteSo sad, but beautifully written
ReplyDeletethanks. My dad's not big on emotional stuff, but this hit him hard
DeleteOh dear, this is sad. Hope your dad is doing okay.
ReplyDeletethanks. Dad's going to have a rough few months, but there shall be progress.
DeleteOh, Joanne, this is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your dad.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is a beautiful tribute to their friendship. Smiles on the side.
thanks. They had a lot of fun doing buddy stuff, and Mr. T. was very handy. He fixed all sorts of stuff at my Dad's house.
DeleteI'm sorry your dad lost his dear friend. I agree with Robyn that this
ReplyDeletea wonderful tribute to him, and their long friendship. A beautifully written poem.
Julie
What a wonderfully poignant poem. It brought tears to my eyes. Losing a longtime friend is so hard, and for seniors, especially, because routine is so important, if you know what I mean. I'm so sorry for your father's loss.
ReplyDelete