It is a lonely affair to be alone
completely alone
without a spouse
or loved one
not even estranged children
or long lost friends
in the eve of one’s life

Ostracized from a community once loved and beloved service received graciously
and service given willingly
years of respected work
hard but rewarding labor
flushed away by the malicious machinations of a friend

When the sun is setting and the days grow ever shorter
taking me closer into the endless
yawning night that lies ahead
the hearts of people so easily turned by deceitful statements and
falsified records depicting duplicity

So it is I go alone into the abyss
without a smiling face beside me or a warm hand to stroke my face or wipe the tears of pain and sadness slipping from my eyes as I leave this world to enter the next fervently hoping the next part
of my journey is not such a lonely affair