My Friend is Dying

My friend is dying.

His wife’s update—

she’s crying.

No one can sleep,

no one can explain to him

why he can’t have dialysis anymore.

My positive, interesting friend.

My friend who always had compliments

for everyone.

My friend who knew me without asking,

as I knew him.

My precious longtime friend.

I can’t understand this is his end.

Somehow, I’d seen him smiling.

Wings sprouting from his shoulders—

mastering yet one more challenge,

with his usual sunny aplomb.

In some magical way…inside himself,

or in some other place or time,

that IS how he is dying…

flying.

Ariele M. Huff lives, loves, and writes in Aberdeen, Washington. Connect with her for online advice or writing classes at ariele@comcast.net.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.