The graveyard was melting
in the shadows of nightfall.
Darkness and death
are my fear my kryptonite.
Yet I walked inside the iron gate
creaking like old bones.

I needed to find you
I know you lived here now.
I could feel our friendship
still calling me.
In all the darkness.
I saw a tiny light
a small  flickering flame.
It was on your headstone.
I knew it was yours.
Your mother had lit a candle
for you today.

I knelt down and kissed
the granite headstone
with your name glowing in golden filigree
I did not kneel in prayer
it was too late for that.
Only whispering
“Hello my old friend”
quietly so no other
ghost can hear me.
I tossed on a playlist
from the old days.
And sat down with my best friend
for a chat like always.

Remember we were almost thirteen.
We got detention for refusing to
stop wearing black everything.
and wearing black lipstick?
We knew were special then
more than girlfriends
More than sisters
we were us forever love.

We learned how to drink cheap wine.
Get drunk together and get over hangover.
You taught me to smoke
until I was green and sick.
Remember college we got out of that boring
home town with a single traffic light.
We danced partied and learned ***.
Experimented with drugs it was crazy

I don’t know how we survived.
You were filled with hidden sickness
I was to the brim crazy.
But we did.
We made it.

At twenty two we got better
You moved away and I went home.
I heard you married a woman.
Why did you never tell me you were gay?
I would have married you in a heartbeat.

I called you to get together for a reunion.
Bring your wife I said.
But you were already
starting to leave this world.
I met a friend in coffee shop the other day.
She told me you were gone
I asked gone where?
She looked at the floor just GONE.
So here I am sweetie.

Do you remember anything that day?
Except the sudden chest pain
The lack of oxygen.
Did you remember me?

That’s when my grief came
Like never before.
tears wetting the granite stone.
You know I always have loved you.
And it’s just not the same in crazyville
without you.

As if in answer to me
The moon peeped from behind a cloud.
And shone onto us in a beam.
I kissed her farewell
Whispering I love you honey.
And walked away into the darkness
Of a changed world.