No Goodbyes

In my twilight years too often                                 

Sadness intrudes.

A good friend dies leaving me to wonder

Who’s next?

But of course I do not send to know

For whom the bell tolls.

Now I try to make new connections

With old friends.

And why not?

Who wants to become a new friend

With an old fool?

Today there is a glimmer of hope—

I learned about an old friend

Who lives nearby

I have not seen her in 62 years

Scarcely older than me

Yet she was once my teacher

Can you imagine?

She lives with assistance

And with a failing memory

Much like my own.

I only want to say hello

Now I must ask—

Who is the intruder?

And why are such questions

Necessary and so difficult to ask?

And so impossible to answer?

I have tried and tried to

Patch up old wounds with two

Very precious persons.

Call it selfishness

Call it anything

Just take my call.

And yet…

How can I get them to

Call and say hello

When they know I will

Never say goodbye?