Friends

Of the friends we have

we often say,

it’s so good to see you

but we can’t stay.

It occurs to me

as I just watched you go,

ours is different

and tears start to flow.

In the past when you came

and stayed a few days,

we all had some fun

but we were annoyed in some ways.

Your wife is like a sister

and your kids are as my own,

if ever you had a need

our friendship would be known.

So why is it so…

we don’t make the time,

to spend with each other

and say you’re a friend of mine.

You’re more than a friend

like a partner of the soul,

minutes spent with you

lift my spirits from their hole.

Gary R. Cramer

April 27, 1983