Long-lost friend

Knock at the door,
step on the stair
Scan the landing up and down –
there’s no one there.

You disappeared by degrees –
covering your trail with
empty apologies.

Took everything not nailed down
except those questions
left unresolved.

Schooled in a new ABC:
Absence,
Betrayal &
Calumny.

Well, now,
where and how
have you been
my long-lost friend?

Well, now,
where and how
have you been
my long-lost friend?

The fugitive returns
to his derelict backburn
Promising the stars
to the embers in the char

Well, now,
where and how
have you been
my long-lost friend?

Knock at the door,
step on the stair
Scan the landing up and down –
there’s no one there.

You disappeared by degrees –
covering your trail with
empty apologies.

Well, now,
where and how
have you been
my long-lost friend?

© 2019.