An old friend called today

we had not heard

from her in months

said she had been away

in sickly ways

down in the dumps

 

the cancer had returned

she had it licked they told her once

now it returned, much worse

then it had been before

she could not walk across the room

or to the door

 

how she survives it all

we never knew

but in her gentle way

she had the courage to

then there was diabetes, dialyses too

imagine if you can what she is going through

 

when friends found out the news

so many cards and letters flew

her mailbox stuffed full

from people that she knew

so many prayers she received

it gave her hope, something to look forward to

 

now oxygen she must have with her every day

though tubes and tanks get in the way

it's what she has to have

or else she may

take a fall and not

get up from where she lay

 

in all she is and does, she is a friend so true

her basic goodness always shining through

now in pain she still has the courage to endure

she is an inspiration, all would concur

we need more friends with loving hearts as pure

if only our hearts were as good as hers.