It is twenty years that you have
been
Standing there,
Immortal.
Except that the rain and the
sun,
The snow and the ice,
Have begun the process of
Wearing you away.

It is twenty years that you have
been lying there,
Immortal.

Except that decay of the
Ground
Has begun the process of
Wearing you away.

I do not wish to be morbid
Nor to say that just because
Your body is no longer there
That we must forget.

It is twenty years since my
Eighth birthday.
It is twenty years that I have
Missed you.
It is twenty years too long.