ODE TO R.
by Leon W.

I remember it like it was yesterday
A cool Monday morn in September
I'd learned some news that would
Rock my very world

The announcement came as a shock
To all around me, but I stayed cool
I'll never lose it, I thought but I 
Could not be more wrong

Some wept and wailed and hollered 
Their grief to the universe
I won't be like them, I mused, but
I'd end up much worse

You see, it took more time to feel
The pain I'd held in my heart
I can't feel like this, I said, but
Feelings never lie

One night, all my defenses fell
And in my mother's arms, I cried
I can't believe he's gone, I sobbed, but
My friend was no more

This began my fall into madness
A journey that still pains me
I can't continue, I wept, but I
Just had to go on

Every day was a struggle
Just to live my life 
I'm out of feelings, I cried, but
I had to 

And to this day, I bear the scars
Of a friend that left too soon
I'll always miss you, and I'll always 
Keep you in my heart.