when first we met
our age the same
a young trainee
I sensed your grace
your symptoms new
myself inept
and soon the word
from others came
leukemia
is what they said
a dreaded fate
for one so young
the drugs instilled
a toxic mix
and soon your life
began to fail
from handsome youth
to swollen corpse
and through it all
your courage held
your pretty wife
was at your side
and through her tears
her love expressed
and for my part
a promise made
to face my death
as you had done
now decades hence
the memory fresh
your battle still
a source of strength
