Friendship is unpredictable, unconstrained
as the unexpected gust of wind that
sweeps across our lives.
When stars twinkle and snowflakes flower,
I look back through the years and see us
as we were, young children, smiling and eager,
ready to challenge the world always laughing.
Even our brown bag, lunches tasted better
when we shared sandwiches together.
You had the silliest ideas,
and I went along with all of them. Remember when
we put perfume on our tongues to make our breath
smell good, and you put white nail polish on your teeth
because you wanted them to be movie star perfect.
How frivolously we cast each other aside
when men entered our lives. We made luncheon dates,
dismissive little gestures, yet something was gone, or
exiled in lame excuses. Until one magic day,
we found one another once again and
learned we were both young widows.
How we challenged each other's minds and hearts and faith,
dancing like children in the wind. Was it chance that
brought us back together, and let us see inside the other's hearts?
I didn't know how soon you'd be taken from me, again,
this time on the wings of angels, nor did I dream of
the pain of loss I'd feel inside.
Now the cat and I sit on the window ledge,
watching two little girls playing, one yours, one mine.
They look just the way we did, when first we met.
and somewhere in my mind I hear " Heart and Soul"
played on the piano, and remember how patient
you were when you taught me my part,
and I see again the brightness of your smile
when I finally played it right.
I'll never forget home economics, and those **** yellow skirts
we had to make. My skirt's seams were pulled and puckered
and it looked more like a curtain valance than something
I'd wear. I was sure I was going to flunk, and we couldn't
stop laughing hysterically when I modeled it for you.
But you picked out the thread, and helped me redo
those puckered, crooked seams, and it didn't
turn out too bad. I promised I'd pay you back someday,
and you held me to that promise. Little did I know
how hard it was going to be, my precious friend,
to watch you suffer and hold your hand
as you breathed your last breath here on earth.
Today you hovered close to my shoulder, and tweaked
my muse, so I wrote this poem for you,
my dear friend Rosalie. I chuckle thinking of you with a
halo. May the Lord hold us all in his hands until we meet again
friendships such as ours don't end with death.