When You Suddenly Lose a Good Friend

I think most people have experienced the initial pain of the death of somebody they loved or knew very well. Death is, after all, a part of life. Last year I lost one of my good friend's to a sudden death, just over a year ago.

After speaking to her husband, who is also a good friend of mine, a few months ago, I put down the phone and wrote this poem.

For Carmie

I was your friend, since ‘89

We moved abroad together

Your family lived right next to mine

Our kids grew up and loved each other

Never thought it would come to this,

Thought we’d all live, for much longer

It was twenty-ten

When things first went wrong

You hit hard times, but then…

I knew you’d met a new man

His name begins with a J, I said

And I knew from your smile

And the sparkle in your eyes

One day, you’d be walking in white.

Down the aisle

These aren’t words to make anyone

Feel sad,

Everyone who knew you

Never said anything bad

You were a light

In all of our lives

And you shined even brighter

When you were on the path

To becoming his wife

You both had big dreams,

You supported each other

And the home you built

Only love resided in it…

Both of you made a winning team

There’s just no way you’d ever quit,

and you didn’t

Eventually, the big dream arrived

You packed your bags, boarded the plane

And quickly moved down-under;

But that was the time

The sun withdrew its shine,

And all you could somehow sense,

was thunder

I got the news

so made the call

And I knew right then

Your health had taken, a gigantic fall

It was not a case of if but when

And time, bloody horrible, awful time,

Was suddenly not your friend

Time had been honest

It wasn’t too long until I got the message

That one we all dread…

God had taken you home

And given you respite and rest.

For quite a while, for us who loved you

Our lives were a mess

Your light had gone out,

In all of us

And we all felt the untimely, tragic loss

You were my friend

Since ‘89

So I’m allowed to miss you

And even to cry

You were such a strong, beautiful star

That I now I know why

They say God needs the good people

A little bit early, Carmie

But most of all,

I feel for you family

For Paige and for Saul

Who are trying to stand tall

Through tears and hurt

everyday missing you, terribly.

And wishing your picture

That will remain on the wall indefinitely

Could just whisper,

A few more words of comfort

And last but not least

There’s your man,

your husband, Jon

Who worshipped you

Not on the ground that you walked on

But because of what you were made of…

Your heart

Your eyes

Your smile

Your soul

Everything about you

You were the part - that part

Which made him feel whole

Your heart

Your eyes

Your smile

Your soul…

Everything about you.

Everything you both were,

For those 14 glorious years

You shared as one, together

© Rob Hamilton