new friend

a new friend

from a part of the country

i know little about

raised in undertones

my childhood never felt

yet sharing a sense of self-worth

and dignity we both

must have known

since we could first print

our own names

friends in blue

chuckles at puns

nods at sharing life incidents

warm hugs

smiles of understanding

friends gathered to unwind

together at lunch

and solving a jigsaw puzzle

as they sit looking out

over the pacific

joy at table

lunch and laughter with

favorite friends

brought together by writing

drifting apart to our separate

needs but remaining true

to our belief in each other

extensive foundation

shoulders drooping in fatigue

my daughter leans against the wall

but a small smile brightens her eyes

as her husband talks of the wedding

party now off to all their own corners

of the nation

their son and now daughter-in-law

as well as -in-love back in new york

they realize gratefully that the reception

banquet hall had been filled with people

who will support and cherish

the newlyweds for the rest

of their lives

   mjNordgren 6/26/2022 blue house, lincoln city