Whatever ends

I dared at last to look at my own face

reflected in the lonesome dead of night

in hopes of finding shards of want or fight

but found instead a shameful lack of grace

and wept cathartic tears of salted spite

to say goodbyes and make a furtive place

to those who’d kindly welcome and embrace

a soul that wishes only to requite

the thoughtful care and love it gets, and give

its time and heart and ears as well, and rest

assured it did its part in keeping friends

that make this life a struggle worth to live

who work to have these sacred bonds all last,

and stick together to whatever ends