As July winds down,
 
the husband of a friend dies
 
unexpectedly.

 
 
 

Underneath the bills
 
I find a New Year’s greeting
 
from my childhood friend.

 
 
 

Autumn happiness—
 
frosted gingerbread and tea,
 
taken with my friend.

 
 
 

I have but one gift
 
for my friend, the new widow:
 
white chrysanthemums.

 
 
 

I’ve only one gift
 
for my friend, the new widow—
 
white chrysanthemums.

 
 
 

Even with a friend
 
the way of desolation
 
brings me to my knees.

 
 
 

My inbox fills up
 
with spring’s first devastation:
 
news of my friend’s death.

Death

 
 
 

a friend’s sudden death—
 
even my morning coffee
 
gives me no pleasure

Leftovers

 
 
 

at an old friend’s house
 
the joy of sharing supper—
 
some leftover soup

Joy

 
 
 

at an old friend’s house
 
the joy of leftover soup
 
as we share supper