I always said no.
Never yes.

To the speed dating,
And the ghost hunt,
And the hike,
And a million other
Opportunities,
A million other times
My best friend asked,
“Do you want to go?”

I always said no,
Never yes.

And I would stay in the dorm,
As he went out,
Laughing and joking
With others more adventerous.
Others who were better
Than the shy kid
Who preferred his computer.

I always said no,
Never yes.

And now he’s gone.
And only a grave remains,
And an obit in the paper.
Rock that will crumble.
Paper that will yellow.
And both will fade
Like the memory of a friend
Who always said yes.

I always said no,
Never yes.

That changes today.

Copyright Sarah Davidson 2021