~

The girls are all here,

they’re spending the night;

and I swear,

that these girls

love each other!

~

Their friendships have lasted

for twenty plus years,

longer than some

have known mothers.

~

They’re chums,

these ones,

they’ve been long time;

then I wonder

where the chums are

of mine.

~

It’s amazing how time

just doesn’t stop,

but flies, forwards and faster.

~

When I look around

for the faces I’ve known,

their absence is a private disaster.

For faces familiar,

of friendships to me,

I find nothing quite as familiar.

~

And this is a lesson,

which I’m not forewarned –

keeping friends

all depends

who will be here.

~

The last

of the last

of my friends

from the past,

~

wrote me

and told me

it’s dire.

~

Where everyone goes,

nobody knows;

but the embers

still burn

to the fire.

~

The girls are still here.

There’s laughter and cheer.

They enjoy

the company

of each other.

~

They’re chums,

these ones,

for a very long time;

still I wonder

where the chums are

of mine.

~

.

.

.

.

Copyright © 2012 Marvin Loyd Welborn. All Rights Reserved.