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

memorial

the breeze a gentle reminder

of his touch near my shoulder

when he wanted to share

the antics of a bird on the wire fence

or a doe still beside the pine

at the edge of the meadow

i had not yet seen

laughter without humiliation

laughter with family and friends

telling embarrassing interludes

we wouldn’t want just everyone to hear

but can share with those who will see

the humor without thinking less of us

that somehow eases the pain

of knowing again we are not perfect                                           

true friends at the coast

 the most fun day of this year

was the four of us talking

and laughing on the drive to the coast

relaxing, hanging out at the Blue house to watch the waves from the deck

sharing a meal with dark, molasses

bread so rich a few bites satiate

working on sections of that impossible

jigsaw puzzle, sharing about what

has been happening in our lives

and the pains and joys of family

talking, laughing and talking

even louder all the way home

together bonding, knowing

of a certainty that sorrows are picked up willingly

and now carried by more than one  

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

rich holidays

such rich holidays

for so many people

in the world

a time we could share

our peace and hope

for life’s renewal of joy

if only we will

touch

haikus

we need to touch, hand

on shoulder, not to possess

but to say i care

to touch is to connect

to feel, to know a presence

beyond my own world

a gentle, resting touch

to share experience

greater than each self