Poem for Rob

 
It’s hard to speak about a friend, who died,
for our companionship was odd.
Although of you sometimes I was tied,
your friendship was for me a gift from God.

We were like cheese and chalk – a strange mixture,
how easily you were by me dismissed!
When you’re no longer in the picture,
you, oh my word, are now so missed.

You helped me so much, like no other,
your heart was so generous for years,
as if I were your sister or your mother,
and what have I for you, except my tears?
 
With innermost sadness I acknowledge:
you had a mind sharp, alert and bright.
A man of many talents and of knowledge,
but damaged, tampered by so many plights.

What plagued you, tormenting with addiction?
And why sometimes did you have to fret?
Was it a curse, perhaps, a malediction?
What memories you wanted to forget?

I often wondered if the heaven’s voice
have reached your soul, calling to repent.
We are all trapped but we can make this choice
to call on Him, who was from heaven’s sent.

Have you accepted, have you recognized
the sacrifice of Jesus, our Lord,
who was for sins of humankind despised?
Were you by Jesus once for all restored?

You have departed finally. Yet, surely
you were unique -  God loved you as you were.
You went away untimely, prematurely,
to other worlds so suddenly transferred.

To heaven or to hell - I don’t know.
All I can do for you is just to pray
that I will see you happy, all aglow,
forgiven by the Lord on Judgement Day.

4.07.2018