chatter like the isolated
human click language
too fast, too nuanced
for outsiders to understand
squirrels emote, communicate
give vent – except the male
who scurries to the side of the road
as each car approaches
only to hurry back
to sit silent beside the body
of its mate or friend
who never made it across
with that smile that goes with
all the gifts she gives, my daughter drove me to where i’d promised to help
though i didn’t know how
she did the helping on the one day
she has a part of to rest
changed the zim card
talked to (after waiting on hold)
the person, waited even longer on hold
until the activation finally worked
called the distant relative of our friend
to explain the next steps
walked me out to the car
and, with that smile,
agreed to go to lunch to cheer me up
after taking so much of her afternoon
a gentle time of love
between friends
who know, who understand
and accept
a compassionate friend
asks if i am in pain
how to answer?
it is not his burden
and, then, aren’t we all?
do i need to know its degree
or source in him before
making allowances for moodiness
or a thoughtless response?
can i forgive a slight
from an aching friend
or even a crotchety stranger?
what if all children grew in haven
that cared even for
our less-than-best selves?
my friend advises
getting in touch
with a blooming tree
a flower
a critter
a bug
to see again
the beautiful intricacy
of the world
we’ve forgotten
i had a tiny friend
he (sometimes she)
sat on my metal lunchbox
clutching the uprights
of the hinges for the handle
the way i grasped
the ropes of my swing
chattering instructions
and unworldly information
as i trudged to school
i told the cross-walk man
about him/her once
each morning mr. o’reilly
greeted us both
with a hearty top o’the mornin’
three closed white lilies
in a plastic bottle
from a friend
four long-stemmed
intensely red roses
from my daughter
together
in a green glass vase
on my coffee table
candy for my eyes
and nourishment
for my soul
watching a friend in pain
listening to another in anguish
over family loss
so little i can do
but watch and listen
and offer heartfelt caring
years of pleasant facade
compromised
killer instincts
revealed
raw competitive edge
keen on
severing
what had been
ties of friendship
two close dear friends
each giving
laughing
talking full out
during our two-hour
lunches
i don’t get
a word in edgewise
with either one
but
love them both
MJ blathers