Hey, old friend.
It’s been years since we
Last spoke.
I remember the day
I approached you &
Asked if I could hang out with you.
With open arms you welcomed me.
We’ve since been together inseparably.
All the times we’d go to
Each other’s houses.
Venture & take tons of photos.
The letters we’d write to each other
When we’re upset with one another.
Prank calling folks in the phone book.
Those were moments and jokes all too good.
Then, high school came.
I remembered my choice to attend
My first high school was just to still
Be close with you & everyone else
Who was in our group.
But then, I felt isolated.
Like I didn’t belong.
So, after two days, I moved
To a different school.
& it was two more years before
Our friendship just… vanished.
What was once daily chats turned
Into monthly meetings &
Yearly birthday greetings.
& now, nothing at all.
It’s like all those years seemed
To fade to nowhere.
& for years, I was lost.
I was confused.
Was it something I said to you?
Something I did?
Or didn’t do?
That made us stop being
Who we were?
Best friends.
After you, I had no one to
Call a best friend.
It’s as if that phrase was erased
From my well of words because
It seemed that whenever I’d say
That to someone new,
They’d be gone too.
& I never want to feel this
Kind of pain anymore.
You taught me to fly
Out of my comfort zone.
You helped me tune into
My creative modes.
You brought so much excitement
Into my isolated life.
We were polar opposites,
Yet, that strong bond we had
Seemed limitless.
Eventually, I found my way again.
I was lost no more.
I even figured it out.
I learned that there are those
Who aren’t meant to
Be in my life forever.
That whatever their purpose
In my journey was,
Has already been fulfilled &
It’s time to move uphill
Without you.
I’ve held on to memories
Way past their due date
When I should’ve focused on
New memories I’ll create with
The life I’ve been living.
I even question myself if it’s
You who I truly miss or the
Friendship we had since that
Made it hard for me to let go.
This is the problem with
Overthinking, no?
After so many years, it’s
Time I stop dwelling on
The friendship we once had.
It’s time I release any hope of
Closure & focus on what’s
Before me.
Focus on the people who
Are now in my life &
Have given me a new meaning
& feeling about friendship.
But before this adieu, I’d still
Like to hold my promise
To you.
A promise to cherish
The friendship we built & the moments
We shared.
A promise to guard your secrets
With care beyond my grave.
A promise that when I revisit our
Photos, I’ll reminisce and smile of
The happiness they brought to our lives.
A promise that if I do see you
Again, it’ll be a fresh start &
See you as the soul you are today,
Not the role I knew back then.
Lastly,
Thank you.
For the adventures we had.
For the lessons you taught.
For being my friend.
I don’t know how’s life going for
You right now, but I sincerely
Wish you all the blessings you deserve.
I hope you’re just as unique, creative,
& outgoing as you were.
I hope you’re genuinely happy.
Take care, old friend.
