Sweetest Friend

It’s eight am, he stands and waits

The publican to open

Blows warm air on his cold hands

Sits down in his same corner

With his unwashed hair and distant stare

Memories he runs from

Wastes no more time and drinks the wine

Today’s hell he must conquer

Oh, my lady, my sweetest friend

My partner to the very end

You are the one that keeps me warmer

The drink that pours to keep the demons in their slumber

And the lovers meet, embrace the streets

Beam bright and shine in colour

Just a breath in time, your hand in mine

A love nothing could conquer

Those promises of youth, the truth

That life will tear asunder

And test the line he had in mind

No kindness and no quarter

Oh, my lady, my sweetest friend

My partner to the very end

You are the one that brings life wonder

So sweet and kind, nevermind to call my lover

Now he paces up and down the ward

He’s soon to be a father

Thoughts and dreams in endless streams

Of smiles and children’s laughter

But the nurse walks slowly towards him

There’s a weight upon her shoulder

Your wife has died, the child survived

A healthy little daughter

Oh, my lady, my sweetest friend

My partner to the very end

You were the one that gave me laughter

My light that shined in darkest times, my burning ember

When he looks into her face

He sees the image of her mother

She’s eighty now and leaving town

He’s failed at being a father

Tears run down her pale white cheeks

He’ll be left all alone now

She has to go and they both know

This goodbye is forever

Oh, my lady, my sweetest friend

My partner to the very end

Poor child of mine, was I so unkind

And out of order?

What have I done to make you run

From me forever?

The wheel it turns, the candle burns

A life descending