His Best Friend

We sat in silence for a while,
As he drove us through the rain.
I tried to encourage a smile,
But I knew behind it would be pain.

The street lights were just a blur,
And everything seemed surreal.
We spoke without any words,
Because both of us could feel.

He began to talk of his best friend,
Of how she slowly passed.
He stayed with her until the end;
Her final breath had come at last.

He hated to watch her go,
And tears had fallen from his eyes.
Because memories of long ago,
Re-emerged from deep within his mind.

I could hear a longing in his voice,
To hold her in his arms again.
Even if he had a choice,
He'd do it all the same.

I wished I could fill that void,
Or at least lessen the pain.
Fill that emptiness with some joy,
Even perhaps to take away that day.

There is nothing that can be done,
Your heart feels like lead.
All battles lost and never won,
Broken hearts are hard to mend.

But suddenly his eyes lit up,
He spoke of her with such love.
About when she was a pup,
When he knew she was the one.

She had crept into his lap,
And soundly fell asleep.
As she lay there and silently napped,
He knew she was the one to keep.

I loved how his eyes became alive,
Then I secretly grinned.
I looked out into the night sky,
And thought perhaps she chose him.

How those summer days went by,
And winter nights were long.
Yet everything ended with one quick sigh,
Although her memory lingers on.

As we drove up his hill,
A smile spread upon his face.
I think he finally realized, as long as his heart beats still;
Those memories can never be erased.