A poem for a friends 32 birthday

I wrote this thirty years ago have just found an old folder of the writing from the summer of 83

sunset through horse chestnuts

                                      an evening vacancy

requiring the particular moment 

                                      to decorate memory

I cannot realize - yet 

                                      the fading circle

half a life observed

                                      so warmly bleak

I cannot resist - why 

                                      white summer cumulus

haunts through five years 

                                      though long painted

this substitute air enforces

                                     old Aristotles ethic

pointing our lapsing friendship 

                                     to a solution

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Michael Oliver,
"A poem for a friend's 32 birthday.
This is a haunting reality with a sweet undertone poem.
Sweet; "sunset through horse chestnuts; an evening vacancy."
The reality of change and time; "I cannot resist-why, white summer cumulus. Haunts through five years."
We can't help but mourn but in it the opportunity for growth and chance. Old Aristotles ethic pointing our lapsing friendship to a solution.
I hope i wasn't to far off.