The Echoes of Friendship

They echo through my stories,
And whisper in my dreams,
They laugh within my thoughts—
These ghosts that can’t be seen.

They walk along beside me
Like my shadow in the sun,
Living memories of past friends
Who, as quickly came, are gone.

Their words are etched upon me,
And their ever-warm embrace
I still feel long years later
And see the smile on their face.

They stirred and changed my life,
These friends that I held dear,
Smoothed the edges of my heart
Before each disappeared.

And I kept living as I could:
Stronger, better, left with gain,
Or eroded to a crumbled heap,
But always left in hollow pain

Because true friendships linger
Living after friends have passed.
Our hearts were made eternal
And connections meant to last.