Ode To A Dying Friend

How strange life can be sometimes,

You think of someone and then…

Out of the blue the phone rings,

It is another friend you haven’t heard from in awhile.

 

How are you my friend, I ask;

Sensing something is dreadfully wrong.

Oh dear lady, I bring you rather grave news;

One of our dear friends is dying.

 

I hear the news, it makes me numb,

For well I know this friend.

I know his mind, his heart,

I know his soul.

 

I ask a million questions of this messenger of doom,

Who tearfully tells me there is no hope.

He has four months to live out his days,

And he wants you to help him till the end.

 

I am crushed by her words,

 I am weakened and cry.

Strength fails me now…

All I feel is utter despair.

 

Strong though is what I must be.

I must be with him to help him deal with the finality of his life.

He has asked me to talk about dying.

He has asked me to talk about his own death.

 

God, why do you end the life of one who gives so much to others?

Why have you chosen this man to call into your heaven?

Why him, dear God, why now?

He has already suffered from so many other misfortunes.

 

I realize it is I who need the strength of Kings.

It is I who needs to learn to deal with death.

It is I who needs to come to grips with the finality of it all.

I t is I who needs to be able to let go.

 

It is I who needs to walk towards the light…

For then and only then, can I be truly free.

Set me free dear God, lead my way.

For when I am free, I may join my friend.

 

Lady Kingel

--May 2001