A poem for you, Jonny Boy

A poem for you, Jonny Boy

There's a Jonny-shaped hole in my life

where you used to be 

and only you can fill it.

And yet, yet, you do

For your Spirit is Living, and it is you.

What is this Jonny-shaped hole?

It is full of your wonderful Jonnyness,

as Jonny as only you could be,

as wonderfully Jonny as you were always meant to be.

More alive than most people I have ever known.

It is full of our conversations, colourful and bright,

your humour and affectionate smile.

It is full of your banter,

the sparring words

beneath them all your infinite kindness, 

your generous heart.

I am told that life will 
                             "grow around the grief"

- and the grief will remain.

So life will grow around this Jonny-shaped hole,

my friend. 

I am sad. 

    But I am glad 

for the Jonny-shaped hole; 

I am grateful for the things in it. 

Though I wish you were here.

But since you are ahead of us now, 

my friend, 

I will be forever grateful for the Jonny-shaped hole 

that you have given us;

I will treasure it. 

What to do with the hole, though, Jonny?

I will fill it 
with conversations about you,

friendships with those you love, 

fond memories of ridiculous moments
photographs 

tears, yes, tears,

but, more than that, 

with love.