ray pool

SCHOOLBUDDY

by ray pool

Wednesday 30th November 2016 11:19 pm

I lost a school friend this week to cancer

found out by chance on Facebook

we shared close times

in a band together

travelled on bikes when summers were young

challenged each other in photography

found out by chance on Facebook

while casually trawling

to find something mildly enthralling.

The statement came up ungarnished

amongst the litany of rants

dogs doing somersaults

posts to share

little throbbing squares of colour

unfamiliar faces

all points of the holiday compass

but nothing much that I hadn't seen everyday

and this is the way I found out

quite by chance

no emoticons, no birthday jingly jokes

there was a photo with his guitar gripped

and grandchildren in support

and he simply looked out onto the last

of the world that separated us

we found a connection at last

after fifty years, pictures of times shared

winged through the post

numbers exchanged

he told me then of the curse on him

but again time lapsed

his wife depressed, a certain reticence

to meet I sensed though I was willing.

I found out quite by chance on Facebook

I can't forget that shrunken look

or the fifty years it took

better than nothing I suppose

in the realm of choice nobody chose

and soon I must make my late flirtation

to the family's final invitation.

🌷(2)

◄ TERMINAL FACILITATION part 2

HIGH SPEC ►

Comments

raypool

Wed 7th Dec 2016 22:24

Thanks you LCPTB. Like yourself I can look back some! You make a salient point about family (no choice) and close friendships; we're all in the queue It is often hard to maintain accord with those close to the deceased I have found when they associate you with the old life that has moved on. Think on't. I had a tiny feeling those two lines were like a dash of cynicism but relevant.

Cheers, Ray

raypool

Wed 7th Dec 2016 22:19

Suki, thanks for the compassionate comment, another strand in the picture; I honestly feel a suspension of sadness because of the poem and all comments have been a kind of exorcism of the sting sounds cheesy I know. The value of communication cannot be over estimated. It's nice to bask in POTW, though I felt a tiny sense of guilt as if I was using the event to capitalize on it. Another lesson learned in the big picture.

Ray

suki spangles

Wed 7th Dec 2016 05:12

I know I have left a comment here already, but it is interesting how this poem has affected so many. The refective comments on the passing of time, reacquaintance, loss, etc. Fully deserved potw. Not sure if that makes you feel any better. I hope so. Take care Ray.

raypool

Tue 6th Dec 2016 15:49

Thanks Harry for picking up that phrase, as actually I was very pleased with it too! Cheers.

Ray

Harry O'Neill

Mon 5th Dec 2016 23:59

Ray,

I like that:

`and he simply looked out onto the last
of the world that separated us`

in a movingly saddened reminiscence .

raypool

Mon 5th Dec 2016 13:17

Thanks Travis for your thoughts. You are dead right in point of fact - he actually found me on facebook which did give me the picture , albeit a very sad one. There is no doubt that social media does perform a useful function . There is very good news and very bad news and a lot of perfunctory stuff in between. As one gets older, life tends to flatten out into less troughs and highs, but there are still hopes; in this particular case there was an ephemeral communication and the prospect of a meet up . That just about covers it. The poem was really the reaction to a shock.

Ray.

Travis Brow

Mon 5th Dec 2016 12:42

It's tough losing friends Ray, and though it might have been better not to have found out the way you did, i suppose had it not been for social media, you two may not have been in touch at all. I'd focus on the joy your reunion brought you both, in the nick of time, as it were.Take care.

Andy.

raypool

Fri 2nd Dec 2016 12:28

Thanks David for giving your observations - your sensitivity coupled with a uniquely personal standpoint have brought a very wise head to the poem, in answer to a fairly despondent state of mind. You're right of course about re activating friendships - a bit like going back to remembered landscapes that have changed radically. My head is full of such stuff and its difficult to escape the consequences.

Ray

raypool

Thu 1st Dec 2016 23:54

Thanks Suki , I appreciate your concern . This is the second time facebook has done this for me; a bit like a public hanging really. Upsetting though not entirely unexpected, but I would like to have seen him again - not sure how to approach it now. A tense phone call probably. Fifty years ago is a lifetime.

Cheers for sharing. Ray

suki spangles

Thu 1st Dec 2016 23:17

Hey Ray, what can I say. The Facebook ref. What a way yo find out. Hope you're okay mate.

raypool

Thu 1st Dec 2016 20:08

Thanks Colin, appreciate your input mate. A bit gutted about it to be honest, just came out like this.

Ray

<Deleted User> (13762)

Thu 1st Dec 2016 08:28

if only and...

nice one Ray

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