I saw you twelve years ago ~
blond hair on a sunny afternoon
attending a class reunion
closer to forty
yet I could not remember you,
not like that

Earlier, I remember you ~
dark hair on a sunny afternoon
in the middle of French lessons
you were close to seventeen
this, I can remember
so clearly

That you were sweet and smart ~
playful, generous and right
flashing your smile
you did reach out
and I kept the letters
our conversations,
how they found me interesting,
pair of scrutinizing eyes
after all these years
I could remember

Farewell then, dear friend ~
Will treasure the fond memories
thank you for your friendship
the inspiration
the good example
if ghosts are but memories
Will you please come haunt me
now and then,
from time to time, again
after all these years?

You were braver then ~
So may your lamp rekindle
brighter now
beyond the wall mysterious
And I hope to see you
once again
someday, somewhere
somehow.