You can never be ready for the call.

For me, the call came the same Wednesday I got divorced.

On the other end, the voice said, "I am sorry."

At once, I knew my friend was gone.

Just like a trained, obedient soldier, I rang to heaven with a hymn...

Just another addiction for the lost and hopeless.

I used to want to be important, someone or something.

Now all I want is to have a drink with you and laugh at our childhood mistakes.

I never got to punch you back, or borrow money from you.

I never thought of time until now; I never had a real understanding of loss.

As I look into the blue of the twilight, Nothing like this unbelievable loss has tuned me into the nothingness we become.

With a lover gone and a friend gone, there is nothing more to lose.

My insanity? Left the minute I realised there would be no more talks of beautiful women who broke our hearts.

There was safety in knowing I could pick up a call and say, "My friend, how are you?"

Now that safety is gone, tell me: who will laugh at my pain and my stupid choices?

Remembering how one night we swore to get sober, only to finish a bottle of Old Jack the next morning.

Now it will be me and Old Jack on the balcony every weekend. The music won't talk to me the same.

Nothing can be worse than grieving for a friend.

Remember when you worked the gemstones while I got a degree? Both paths worked out well for us.

Our last time together, you bought "Ngotho" for me.

We sat in the back of my old truck, our banter ending as it always did — A laugh, a nod, and "I appreciate you, my friend."

Not knowing that was our last goodbye.