Sometimes he'd speak like a pirate
Just to get a laugh

If a giggle was worth a nickel
I couldn't finish the math

His happy carefree spirit was like
The sun lighting a room

But then somewhere down the line
My mind ignored the clues

His appearance became fewer
Like flowers approaching winter

I should've seen the signs
And tried to keep him nearer

I have not heard from him now
For years on end

And not a day goes by that I don't wish
He was still my friend.