The Loss of A Friend

I once had a great friend
Who I loved like a sister.
For a long time it was good,
Then came something called high school.

When things began to change,
I didn’t know what to do.
We gradually grew apart,
And not doing anything was the worst thing to do.

We put on a skit in class,
But she had already turned
Into the character she portrayed.
As I sat there and watched,
Tears filled my eyes,
And I was sad.

“Senior year would be better,” I thought.
But I had blinders over my eyes.
I didn’t want to see what I knew would come,
For she was going to college out of state,
With a friend I didn’t want to admit
I was jealous of.

Even though she came home often,
I only saw her a few times.
Through snail-mail and e-mail,
I sent birthday and Christmas cards,
But never once got a response.
My head said, “She’s busy,”
But my heart finally began to realize,
“Out of sight, out of mind.”

Friends graduated, and then got married.
Finally, she announced that she was next.
I was happy for her, but still sad,
You see, I had heard the news from her mom.

I tried to get in touch from time to time,
But she never made an effort.
Then more good news,
“She’s pregnant!” came from her mom,
Only to be followed shortly after by,
“She miscarried.”

When her brother got married two weeks later,
I tried to console her,
Remembering the love I had for this dear friend.
But the response that I got
Was that of a distant stranger.
The wall of time and distance was greater.
We barely spoke two words.

Then again, the phrase from months prior,
“She’s pregnant!” again came from her mom.
I tried to call and offer congrats,
But when I got the machine again,
I knew there was no use.

Her baby shower was what I expected it to be.
We were no longer friends since grade school.
We had turned into friends
Who simply knew each other.

We each had our share of family deaths,
And while I called to offer my sympathy,
I never once got a call
From the one whose shoulder
I could always cry on.

I have finally accepted
What I’ve known for some time.
She’s no longer a close friend,
But an acquaintance.
And realizing this loss of a friend
Has caused many sleepless nights,
And many a tear stained pillow.


Author's note: I know this poem isn't great, but it's a true story. If anybody has any suggestions, please let me know.