Friends Poem by Joe Filipiak

My list of friends is getting shorter,
not as long as it used to be.
Friends I've known from long ago,
have been taken away from me.

Friends I played with as a boy.
in a city neighborhood.
Friends that gave me so much joy,
have left this life for good.

Friends I had in uniform,
for twenty some odd years.
Friends I was so close to,
whose loss brought me to tears.

Friends I made throughout the years,
considered family.
Friends with whom I shed some tears,
and laughed with joyfully.

Friends I went to church with,
prayed with, and prayed for.
Friends that left too soon,
are standing at heaven's door.

Relatives near and far,
have said their last goodbyes;
all crossed off my friendship list,
for these my heart still cries.

One day we will meet again,
where there are no more tears.
There we'll sit and reminisce,
about those friendship years.

For those dear friends still around,
I want you all to know,
I will cherish our close friendship,
until it's time for me to go.