The names of old friends
sound like death pangs

They already belong in the past tense

They've put themselves away
in old sayings,
alcohol
and anxiety;

dressed themselves in high numbers
& stale opinions

- and when I see interview clips
with my estranged ex-daughter
in a pregnant state,
or with two unknown, red-haired grandkids,
I clearly see
how existense has split up
in a parody
of the popular Many-Worlds Quantum Theory,

so I smirk,
juggle a couple of letters
and retort to some strong black,
planning a long, winding ski track
into the wilderness