By D. R. DiFrancesco
Words seem inadequate at such a time,
More than just a colleague you were a friend,
I can’t imagine the anguish and fear that must have gripped you.
Sadly, all we could do was watch,
Offer faint attempts at support,
And secretly hope that you would recover.
This was not to be,
You aged right before our eyes,
Hair, once salt and pepper turned white and paleness entered your skin,
A shell of the man you used to be.
Your strength however, was inspirational,
Disease did not deter you from your labors,
Your attitude always focused on the positive.
Our lives my friend, were enriched just to have known you,
You left far more to this world than you took,
And this world will be a little emptier without you.
May you find peace and comfort with your maker,
As those that knew you come to terms with your passing,
Farewell dear friend…you will be sorely missed.
** In memory of my colleague Peter who passed away last night from lung cancer.
Dom DiFrancesco 
Sorry for your loss.
Thank you very much, I appreciate your kind words.
My condolences on the loss of your friend, Peter. My father is fighting lung cancer, and I can empathize with what it does to the patient.
Thank you very much it is greatly appreciated.
a touching poem for your departed friend
Thank you for your kind words.
What a touching and sensitive way to honor your friend. I recently read a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. For the sake of space, I’ll post the last few lines with a link to the full quote.
“… But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.”
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/283627-there-is-nothing-that-can-replace-the-absence-of-someone
My sympathy. It’s nice to see he had such a good friend in you, Peace. ~Beth
Thank you for your nice comment. I enjoyed the quote that you posted, it was beautiful.
This is a lovely poem. Just lovely.
Thank you. Pete is going to be truly missed.