in the night of emptiness
I stare at what I can’t confess
sitting on a lonely street
a parade comes forth
with silent feet

from timeless fog
they reappear
without a smile
without a tear
the faces pass
some young
some old
marching by
their stories cold

no music plays
no raucous cheers
no flags unfurled
as they pass near
but though these ghosts
say naught a word
my soul screams out
their memories stirred

how can this be
my mind asks
one moment here
and then they’ve passed

once I called these people friends
believed that life would never end
but then the fruit fell off the tree
fate claimed its due in front of me

as I look back at many lost
I question what has been the cost
could I have given more my heart
slowed the death of time apart

and when I take my final breath
will any of my friends be left

tio stig 2015

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