Footsteps in the sand.

Seeing the unfamiliar names that we may never recognise.
Knowing that we couldn't be there for each other all the time anymore.
Sure in the knowledge that you wouldn't call, just for the sake of not troubling us.

Looking at my own, knowing how far I've come.
Looking back, seeing how far our paths in the sand have diverged.
Looking around, I see a few different faces, different smiles.

Walking a different path from each other.
Walking away.
But walking towards a better future together.

Hope binds us together.
Peace follows at our heels.
Friendship, coiled around our hearts.

Sorrow harasses Hope's vines..
Stress worrying Peace.
The very devil attacking our Friendship.

Yet we continue to hold on to Hope,
and go in search of new Peace.
Our Friendship remains strong as ever, regenerating when we pass our hands over to soothe it.

Sometimes it takes us longer to see that Hope is straining,
Sometimes it takes us longer to find new Peace.
Sometimes it takes us longer to notice that our Friendship is slipping.

But no matter how far our paths are,
no matter how long we take,
no matter how far our footsteps are from each other,
all I needed to hear from you guys was, "Why so sad? Cheer up! Give me a smile, go on."

To all my friends, both old and new, thanks.