Goodbye Friend. Poem by Mike Berriman

I said goodbye to my friend today
He passed by us on heavens way
His wake mix of sandwich and sorrow
'Here today and gone tomorrow'.

Partners some, but true love one
So late in life does happiness come
His life story, a rich epitaph read
Many good words, after we are dead.

So it was with my good friend
A moving service for him, the end
His casket a home made painted crate
Coloured red for our lost mate.

We were friends for fifty years
Shared our lives, shared our fears
Raced first cars around the track
I know it's true, you won't be back.

You were infectious with your charm
Taking risks and avoiding harm
I looked to you, what a star
The world was yours, you could go far.

But mortal constraints got in your way
Like family things and weekly pay
You put aside those teenage toys
And grew a business and family joy.

So sad for us to see you go
We are selfish, that you know
I pray you're happy wherever you are
Be it on a beach, or on your star.

MB 8/2016