Your picture hangs on my wall

It’s of us just 6 months ago

One of our few get-togethers from adulthood

I wonder if we’d hang out more if we could

One picture compared to the many from when we were teens

I wonder what happened to all the time in between

Your smile doesn’t sparkle like the girl I used to know

And though we’re older now you don’t stand as tall

Straightened, tinted hair

Painted-on brows

A tattoo

The portrait’s just a colored memory of the girl I once knew

For social media infiltrated

Even in the church chairs lies replicated

You moved away

I hope deception doesn’t follow you

For all the truth we heard and all the right words

Do you think they were for nothing?

For in your eyes I see hope

For something

May your hopes be truly satisfied

May you find redemption and be truly alive

Beyond the loss

As we think on the cross

I see your picture

Your love and friendship

My fondest tincture

The friend I once knew

Still alive but far away

With all my heart, I pray for you