WHEN A VERY OLD FRIEND SUBTRACTS ME FROM HIS LIFE

and there’s no reason I can fathom,
it stings to the core of the marrow in my bones
like the betrayal of Brutus to Caesar:
Et tu, Brute?
Our mutual idiosyncrasies created a blend
of compatibility that resulted in an effortless friendship.
What did I not know? What motivated his betrayal?
Unspoken grievances that bruised his ego?
A black curtain has descends on the story
of our lifelong friendship.
Only the distant echo of unending laughter can now be heard.
I bleed from a severed bond that cannot be healed.
He drowns our friendship in silence.
All I can hear is a muffled message
meant only for me:
DROP DEAD!