This one is for Nicki:

My dear friend,

I miss you so.

Seems like yesterday

We shared our goals.

Your innocence, your smile,

Your comfort in words.

You gave me strength,

I knew I’d be heard.

We were happy.

We struggled.

Through it all,

It settled.

Then it came.

You never returned.

Pretty soon,

I felt concern.

Since you left,

The days had changed.

I was present,

But not the same.

The days drew on

Without you near

It was then I knew

You’d never be here.

I cherished our moments,

But rather sad, and why?

I never did

I never did

Get to say goodbye.

This poem goes out to all those close, special friends you’ve met at work – only to, one day, find them absent – for good.

So make sure you make the most of everyone you meet.

In the words of Anthony Kiedis, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers:

“Say it now because you never know.” – Tear (“By The Way” – 2002)