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