Emily's Escorts

The spring has not sprung,
I reflect on songs no longer sung
those who loved and whose time was lent
and are gone, it is those I lament.

On entering the room, I scan the list
noting those loved, but also those missed:
no Bella, no Michelle, nor Evie
no Anne, no Izzy, nor beccyb;
but my June remains, and I smile
her voice and humour unique as her style.

The buds are slow, the climate poor
the fallen leaves mark the the way to the door:
no Kasia, Chloe or Claire;
just gaps to show where they were;
but MsD is still to be found
in her favourite hunting ground.

Meteors who flashed across the sky
some gone without a proper goodbye:
no Stumpy, no Monica, and now no Emma;
they are missed, mayhap forever;
but while Wolfie guards the room,
there can be no lasting gloom.

The roll call of those who are gone,
of dusty, val and jen, goes on
but new buds do appear
even as old friends reappear,
and stalwarts like Jacquie and Mia
ensure we will remain here.

Emily's is here for friendship, for fun
for each lost or lonely one,
too many names to say
keep us alive this and every day
and it is never, ever too late
to prefer love over hate.