Deadline Poem by Greg Gaul

A friend is terminal
yesterday he told me
standing in the parking lot
stunned, I was blank
wordless affection, noble silence
clasped his hand
we wouldn't hug

We weren't that close
still I sunk inside
fear in me, mixed empathy
how close do you need to be
to share lonely moments of humanity
we're all in the same queue
that, and taxes always come due

He said he's okay
that is his answer
to pancreatic cancer
haunting smile from quivering lips
fake laughs, shrugs
some live years on, he wryly said
vowing happiness till the end

There's a deadline now
not his, it's mine
he's made his peace
my deadline starts today
I share my hugs with you in words