Early Depatures

We were long-haul friends.

We were old before our time.

We were going to apply to the same colleges.

We’d be roommates, in college and after.

We’d backpack across Africa; we’d laugh at ourselves as we pretended to be clueless adventures- we’re going on holiday, see, he’d say. And I’d say, yes, yes, mate, on safari, if you will.

There were some things we didn’t have to say.

Some things we just knew, the way you know the sun is out there, the way your body knows to breathe without your help. We knew we’d always be there for each other. And not the way you usually say it, easy come, like you’re picking lint from a sweater.

We would be there.

Besides.

Next to.

Behind.

We were built for this.

This, forever.

But no one told us nothing lasts.