Finding the Right Words

A very old friend of mine
Rang me today
He told me that his sister had just passed away
I didn’t know what to say
I faltered and stuttered
But finally sputtered
I’m sorry so very sorry to hear
Dear God
What a sod
Died you say
Yes
Today
Ok
Now don’t remind me
I really should know
‘Was she the ginger one from Egham?
‘Or the tubby one from Bow?’
… …‘Egham’s nice’.
Why is it always so bloody difficult
To find the right words
It’s far better to say nothing
Nothing at all
Silence is golden
As a rule
I’m usually lost for words
But suddenly
I saw the light
A star burning bright
I had thought of
Something right to say
And in that same moment
I began to spout
All manner of kind words came tumbling out
Thank you
He said
Now in all fairness
He didn’t have to say that
‘Cheer up things could be worse’
Was perhaps
Given the circumstance
inappropriate
I can see that now
Word and the moment as ever
my curse
and then
As though to make it worse
I ventured
‘Of course I’m not surprised
Not one little bit
She had lost so much weight’
When she stopped doing…. … …
‘Shit’
‘‘She drank like a fish and loved staying out late’
‘Still, who are we to judge?
They say life is for living’
‘So live
Let your cup runneth over
Live your life to the full’
Because ‘you never know the …
My words hung in the air
For almost a full
Minute
‘Hello?
Hello?
‘Is the line dead?
No
My friend said
Just my sister Debbie.