as times pass friends change
that emptiness which
never fills
never leaves
settles down like dusk
gradually coating the polish
unperceptively sealing
the shell
colors draining

as friends pass and times change
a quiet resolve begins to grow
either to be still or to turn and fade
only to flourish and shine again
in tomorrow’s promise of
the next chance
to shine only if
the dawn reneges
and spits it back
to us
to resurrect

as change passes times and friends
longing washes over contentment
flushing out the grit and irritants
of boredom and malcontent
cleansing the sun
seeking either darkness
or meaningful contact