He Was a Friend of Mine

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He was a friend of mine Was living on borrowed time He had nothing left to give alas Had nothing left to do but pass And he was a friend of mine He never had use for a wife Craved for himself a better life Never travelled too far from home Never feared death or the unknown And he was a friend of mine He always had a tale to tell I heard ‘em all and know ‘em well Forty years we were close he and I Forty years I watched him slowly die And he was a friend of mine He never hurt a living soul Never found peace in this world Loved a beer and a rollie cigarette Loved the mates he made and met And he was a friend of mine He drank now it’s too late Was the master of his own fate His sorrows died with him that day His living demons all cast away And he was a friend of mine I didn’t get to say goodbye I didn’t know the end was nigh Got the news from his hospital bed Closed his eyes ‘til he was dead And he was a friend of mine Written: November 2023

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Panagiota Romios

Date: 6/29/2024 7:18:00 PM

Very touched by your loving poem about . your friend. You have a big heart, my friend, No human being should be glad another person died for any reason. Who are we to say get out of our lives . As you notice, life is not made of perfect people. I know you don’t.. but I read the comments. Some were anything but understanding. Pangie Pangie Condolences!

Panagiota Romios
Date: 6/30/2024 11:26:00 AM

My husband died at 40 and it was hard to accept, Keith! Sorry that you lost him.64 is still vey young to me, i hope he has peace and happinessl Reminds me to appreciate the fact I am still here,I am 85. All lives are precious..take care, Keith…Pangie

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/30/2024 5:38:00 AM

Thanks Pangie. It’s actually his birthday. He would have been 64 today. Hope you are well.

Arlo Parker

Date: 6/21/2024 9:44:00 AM

Sometimes watching friends die ends with a "thank God". Walked this walk once or twice. :o/

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/23/2024 12:58:00 AM

Apart from my wife I spent more time with him than anyone else but he was always a tortured soul.

Gary Radice

Date: 6/20/2024 1:54:00 AM

When I first read the title I was reminded of a song by The Commodores called ‘Nightshift’. The repeated line “He was a friend of mine” reminded me of it. You use it to great effect here. Your introspective and poignant tribute to your friend, Keith, sums up the fragility of life for me. Cheers - Gary

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/20/2024 3:12:00 AM

It’s inspired from an old traditional folk song called “He Was a Friend of Mine” recorded by many artists. He loved the version off a Dylan bootleg album. Whenever I play it I think of him. Nice to see ya, Gary.

Tom Woody

Date: 6/18/2024 5:23:00 AM

Awesome lyric poem with repeating refrain. Is it a true story? Sounds like he led a destructive, lonely life. So sad. My mom died November 1st '23

Keith D Trestrail
Date: 6/18/2024 6:23:00 AM

I’m sorry to say it’s true. He was my best friend but suffered from a mental condition all his life. He did not lead a destructive life, only a diminished one. Cheers.