Biographical Poetry posted January 11, 2024 Chapters:  ...12 13 -14- 


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The unexpected death of my best friend, Joy.

A chapter in the book Sories Poetically Speaking

Sleep Well, My Friend

by BethShelby

 
The year’s gone by so quickly,
and yet, it seems like yesterday. 
There was no indication, when we hung up the phone,
that call would be our last. 
We were on our way to help you move,
knowing there’d be tears.
 
You loved your home and didn’t want to sell.
Maybe God looked down and said,
“You don’t have to.
Close your eyes and rest. I’ll handle it. 
I know a place you’ll like much better.”
 
The following morning as we traveled
We were alarmed when your phone kept on ringing
Perhaps, a power outage? 
We could hope, 
but hope wouldn’t bring you back.
Your soul had left the building.
 
It was a shock to find you there.
You looked as though you’d nodded off 
in your favorite chair.
The solitaire cards spread, waiting 
for a move that never came. 
 
I miss our daily phone calls.
How do you close a chapter which began
in the innocence of childhood,
when no secret was too personal to hold back
from my best forever friend? 
 
You believed in closure; a time to say,
“Goodbye. It’s okay to go, now.’’
You knew I didn’t care to deal with last farewells.
You left me there to merely wave and say,
“I’ll see you later, Joy. Sleep well, my friend.”
 

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January
2024


It's been a year this month, since my daughter and I traveled to North Carolina to help my best friend get ready to move near her children in Florida. She wasn't feeling great, and she was dreading the move, because she loved her home in the mountains. What a shock to find she'd passed away the night before we arrived. We suspected covid but we never knew. It looked as if she merely closed her eyes. Photo by Joy
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