Premonitions of death

He travelled with a tool-box
For repairing the things of the world.
He was always in a hurry
On his way to somewhere else,
Yet he would stay for a while with my father.
They used to drink together their silence.
He disappeared for years.
One day he returned, dressed in mourning.
He said: I came as soon as I could.
My friend: don't take with you your silence.
With whom shall I drink my soul?

Background: an old friend of the father.