Poem 4 – A Gift for a Friend

I want friendship to last forever, but I’m told that nothing can
So I ask what I can give you that will last the ravages of man?
They say diamonds are forever, but I cannot give you those,
And anyway, what would you want with those cold and soulless stones?
Others swear by love and yet that also seems to fade,
As somehow the wonderful feeling becomes a sorry shade.
In my life, perhaps only death will last eternally,
And yet I cannot make a gift to you of my own mortality.
So emotions fade and I’m betrayed by the steady advance of time
But perhaps you’ll be left with memories at least as good as mine.