Our Reds, the threads of friendship formed
through laughter, sadness, those we mourned.
The dazzling days and anguished nights,
their too-short lives and fruitless fights
to keep them close, and when they faded that's the time
we loved them most,
my friend.
We shared exquisite pain - sublime
but joy, elusive, took its time.
And yet we laughed when we recalled
our cheeky 'chicken-nickers' all.
Our friendship forged in fire and snow,
experiences for love to grow,
my friend.
Impossible to share the grief.
Too raw, but gently moved to beach itself
on calmer waters.
What we learned will never leave us,
my friend.