Is it Easier, Dear Friend?

             Is it easier,

             if one you love

             is, in mind,

             no longer

             the one you loved?

             Is it harder,

             I wonder,

             to bid farewell

             when the one

             you love

             no longer

             knows,

             nor knows

             to love you?

             I question not

             for me.

             I question not

             for one

             I ever knew.

             I question for

             one I love

             that loves one,

             that, in truth,

             in mind,

             no longer knows

             to love the one

             he did love.

             In mind,

             no longer loves

             the one he knew

             to love. 

             Though our words,

             your and my words,

             one to the other

             are better left unsaid,

             know my dear friend,

             how I wish it

             were my hand you hold

             when, in epitaph,

             kind words are said.

             Know my dear friend,

             how I wish it

             were my shoulder

             your head rests upon

             when tears come.

              Is it easier I wonder,

              to bid farewell

              to the living shell

              of whom you knew,

              but no longer

              resides within?

              I wonder

              my dear friend.

              I hope.