Funny how you perceive a complete stranger

....to be a friend.

- Simply, on the strength of a few lines of prose

- Simply, because of an element of warmth in those words…

- Simply, because of a touch of understanding in the message and a trace of humanity in the tone.



And funny how, over time, you come to rely

On that presence…to be there.

A sort of subliminal assurance that you are

In the proximity of something of value.



And it’s not funny at all

That when this is abruptly withdrawn….

There is a tangible sense of loss, of betrayal.



Funny, really, how vulnerability manifests itself.



© 2012 Marshal Gebbie