Our friendship died today

Our friendship died today
in a fireball on the
northbound M23

Before you drove off
in a battered white 'F' reg paradigm
our fingers touched
and formed the letter 'N'

I knew you were weary
beset by
the combined predation
of alcohol
and betrayal
as they slammed into you
day after day
until you became collapsed

You have been
pushing me away
since we lost our voices
but I have clung on
doggedly
always hoping
I would hold you
properly
one last time
and inhale the
stubbled hegemony
of your stench
transporting me back
to the time
when were still
able
to drown out the static
and sleep