We Happy Few

Loneliness that was a curse
Seems now a gentler aquaintance.
Somehow age, while stripping off my confidence
Allows I wave with less self-conciousness.
But how the goodbyes seem unreal,
Not quite sad, quite barren of relief.
You'll keep in touch, I hope.
You brought me quiet gifts of such strength
With your sense of humour.
Add a page to my opinion of my life now:
Write how pain's regained its suffering,
Say this of my inner sense who, yesterday,
Lay hungry, half-forgotten, lost outside.
The blessing is perhaps to have known you?
We few. We happy few.
My friend, thank you.

Nik Habermel, April 1998