Disappearing Friends

Recited at You, Me and Poetry evening on Thursday 16/7/25 on the theme Midnight Friends. 

I sat and listened,

With tears my eyes glistened,

Your poems on midnight friends,

Reminded me why friendship ends. 

Childhood buddies and school mates,

College pals and romantic dates,

Workplace colleagues and travel yaars,

They came and went like shooting stars.

We met and rejoiced, 

Our dreams and fears we voiced,

Lived, loved and learnt things anew,

Thought our friendship plan we could anytime renew.

Alas! As the years flew,

Our friendships we outgrew,

Like autumn leaves they spun and flew,

Carried away by winds I never even knew. 

I tried to hold the strings tight,

But some balloons are only meant for flight,

They were my friends for a reason,

But I know now, they cannot last every season. 

Now I see them in memories' eye,

Though we haven't even bid goodbye,

Distance, family, work and the rest,

Our friendships could not stand the test. 

Now there are no meet ups or calls,

Silence and loneliness reflects on the walls,

My friends are photos tucked in dusty books,

Memories are blurred, crammed in mind's nooks.

We outgrew games and ran life's race,

Chose different paths, a different pace,

Yet in a corner of my heart you still stay,

My disappearing friends who flew away!