We met at St. Augustine’s School in the last days of fourth grade. You became my best friend during a time when I had none. We carried each other through our middle school years. Sure, we hit our road bumps through high school, hanging with different cliques. But we managed to hang together through college, on my breaks. A night or two at Company B’s in Orangeburg, a hike up the Pine Meadow trail, and a sushi dinner: we made it work. Yes, even when you moved up to Albany, we stayed in touch.

You stood beside me at the altar as Mira walked down the aisle. “We can still get out of here,” you joked. Later, at the reception, you delivered the expected, moving Best Man’s toast.

Then you disappeared. Years passed, without contact. Then out of nowhere a text, or message, followed by a phone call. You met up with me and the family, on my birthday. Then your absence, again. & absolute radio silence.

How many years, now? What happened, my friend?

left behind

in the wilderness

a piece of cloth

all these years of playing

adult hide-and-seek

for Tanka Poets on Site: Gerry Muse #407. Prompt for 18th May 2024
Old Friend