The Last Day of the Year

A poem written when a friend died from liver cancer.

photo by a divine

On the last day of the year I went to tell a friend goodbye

And he didn’t want to leave and I admit it made me cry

But I said it anyway, held his hand, then walked out the door

And it’s the first day of the year now and I won’t see him anymore

On the last day of the year I cried for no good reason too

And I know you didn’t know it because I hid the tears from you

And it’s the first day of the year now and it’s starting to rain

And I wish I did, but I don’t know how to stop the pain

On the last day of the year I crushed a flower in my hand

And I did it for a reason you would not understand

It’s the first day of the year now and the petals are turning brown

If you listen you can hear me sob as I throw them to the ground

On the last day of the year, I laced up my boots and walked out

Brought the firewood in, fed the dogs, and cleaned the house

And it seemed to be a day just like every day before

But when the sun rose on the new year I couldn’t feel it anymore.