When I hugged you, it hurt near the end, don’t you know

I felt such regret and remorse, with nowhere to go

Just wanted to take you and shield you, share some of the pain

But alas time is fleeting and now I can’t hug you again

Though I feel somewhat relieved, there still is the sorrow

I am empty inside most the time, sought of hollow

Though your battle is over and you’re no longer in pain

I remain selfish, my brother, I want to hold you again!

To think back on your life, and all the times that we’ve had

It’s too hard not to laugh, and for that I am glad

You were too big for this world, like a runaway train

Slightly off the tracks and like me; mostly insane

Never one for convention, it appears now you are free

To be whatever, wherever you now choose to be

For me, a cool breeze or even a light summer rain

Rest assured I will live well, till we, one day, meet again

So sorry for that hug mate, but I won’t take it back

It’s the last hug we had, I think I’ll just cop the flak

And rest assured I’ve a ticket and will never refrain

From regular, crazy trips on that old runaway train

Cheers Mate

John Mason 27/01/2018