We'd known each other for forty years

Meeting in a local pub,

With so many familiar faces

At times it was like a club.

 

A Scot who'd emigrated

From Aberdeen to far B.C.

And become an English professor

At a top university.

 

But still drawn back to Blighty

To rent a central flat

In time for yearly Wimbledon

And evenings of cheerful chat.

 

He said he'd be back this year

For another tournament

And duly I expected him

To be here for that event.

 

But nothing further came my way

And that concerned me greatly

For both email and the telephone

Proved unsuccessful lately.

 

Today the reality came to me

When going online to search

In shock I saw "obituary"

And my heart suffered a lurch.

 

My old pal of so many years

Had passed some months before

And all my worst suspected fears

Hurt me to the core.

 

All the laughs, the chat and fun,

Had gone without me knowing

And it was left to an online page

That was cruelly showing

 

The news that he'd be taken ill

And passed before I knew

To leave me saying "Goodbye Bill"

So sorry that it's you.

 

But you are still alive my friend

In the memories that I keep

In mind to bring you back to life

When I'm inclined to weep.

.............................................................