Outpouring

Back in the day
he was one of the crew
I saw him today
unsure what to do
there was nothing to say
so I just filed through
completely numb, lost in thought
among the tearfully distraught,

I hugged his wife
his daughter and son
their teardrops rife
with dreams undone
the worst of their strife
just now begun,
remembering what they once had
while burying a partner and dad.

My arid cheeks
do not reveal
what sorrow wreaks
or how I feel
but then the leaks
are all too real—
I promised myself I wouldn’t cry
goodbye my friend... goodbye.