Remember when we were kings,
long before heroin watered its malicious ego
with our tears,
when we stood tall against the shadows of our
demons,
long before our will and pride were conquered
by fear?
There was so much more to you than flesh and blood.
I have lost more than just a friend,
a son has lost a father,
a mother has lost her child,
the world lost a light that will never shine again.
You were stolen from us far too soon
to roam among the giants in a time out of
place.
From where you are, can you see my tears
stain this page,
can you hear my silent wish to take your
place?
I never got the chance to say I’m sorry
or mend the friendship I allowed to be
broken.
It’s finally setting in that you’re really gone
and there’s too much left unspoken.
It’s not enough to say I love and
miss you.
You were funny, kind, smart, giving,
we take for granted the ‘morrows we may
never have
and lose sight of the privilege of living.
Another life has become poison’s trophy,
though some day we’ll all know death’s sting.
Till my turn, you’re immortalized in my tears –
and in the memories of When We Were
Kings!
Rest in peace,
                my friend…

ABOUT THE WRITER. James Bonds seems to know all too well the devastation of addiction, as is reflected in his writing. He wrote in a letter that accompanied this submission, “If you know an addict, love them now – while you still have a chance.” Mr. Bonds can be contacted at:
James Bonds #19111-033 1-unit
Federal Correctional Complex USP-1
P.O. Box 1033
Coleman, FL 33521