Completion Date: 04-14-13
Time Taken: 1 hour
Media:
+ Ballpoint pen
+ Sharpie permanent marker
+ Additional touch-up, textures, and watermark added in Photoshop CS2
Music:
+ Run Boy Run - Woodkid
+ A Finger, Two Dots Then Me ~ Poetry by Derrick Brown - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcoMiGiDRjg

Comment:
This piece is a culmination of many things, and typically I don't talk about things that are personal publicly if ever. Please understand that and be respectful.

Last week I lost someone I considered a friend, his life was ended suddenly and far too soon for the 23 years he was given in this world. It sent a shock through my system that I can't explain. I've never lost anyone the way he was lost and even now I still grapple with that. We may not have been the closest of friends or talked every day and I feel like its not my “place” to be as torn up about it, but I am. Losing him drove home the reality that tomorrow... my friends may not be here.

When I consider you a friend, I take you into my heart and keep a piece of you as you keep a piece of me. Friends mean as much to me as family, friends /are/ my family and that's something I can't even begin to explain.

I will be the first to admit that I am /terrible/ at keeping in touch these days, I'm not the extrovert I was years ago and the past year has made me quiet and contemplative. Even the sobering events of the past week have moved me to a silence of stunned grief and regret. It has made me realize that even though I've pulled into myself, there are still those around me that need to hear from me. The friends that remain here and now with me.

I'd written this letter to all of my friends months ago, and every single word still stands.

I love you with all of my heart, I do.
I am always here even if I'm silent, I'm watching.
If you need me, even if you think I'm not there, I am.
You are my friend, you are part of my heart and soul, you are family.

To all of my friends – Past, Present, and Future..
____________________
This piece is done in the memory of a wonderful and beautiful soul who left this world sooner than he should have. Thank you, Joe, for all of your kindness and everything you bought to this world and its people.

_{Artwork, Zola © 2013 P. Gaither (SoulsPoison)
Textures from http://obsidiandawn.com
Do not use without permission; Artwork and character copyright P. Gaither (SoulsPoison); All rights reserved. Do not alter, copy, and/or redistribute under penalty of law.}