THE CONVERSATION

THE CONVERSATION

A woman moves close:
there is something she wants to say.
The current takes you one direction, her another.
All night you are aware of her presence,

aware of the conversation that did not happen.

Inside it are mountains, birds,  a wide river,
a few sparse-leaved trees.
On the river, a wooden boat putters.
On its deck, a spider washes its face.
Years from now, the boat will reach a port by the sea,
an the generations of spider descendants upon it
will look out, from their nearsighted, eightfold eyes,
at something unanswered.

-Jane Hirshfield

Friendship

Christie gave me this last weekend. I thought it was good enough. It seems I have many friends like this...


The Six Qualities of Really Great Friends

Really great friends are the ones who still
recognize your voice on the telephone
regardless of how long it's been since
you've called.

They share a history with you of times
and places from the past, which suddenly
seem very present whenever you are
together.

They never give you a hard time for not
calling or writing; they're just glad to hear
from you when you do get in touch.

They remember you when you were
thinner, younger, and had more hair, but
they still tell you that you haven't
changed a bit.

They have a special way of communicating
that spans distance, evokes emotion, and
inspires special dreams.

They are the basis for really great memories
that always bring a smile and will never
be forgotten.

--Anna Marie Edwards

The last two are my favorite.

A Strange Wind
by Shel Silverstein

What a strange wind it was today
Whistlin and whirlin and scurlin away
Like a worried old woman with so much to say.
What a strange wind it was today.

What a strange wind it was today.
Cool and clear from a sky so grey
And my hat stayed on but my head blew away
What a strange wind it was today

The Guy in the Glass

The Guy in the Glass
by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.