Old friends and the Inadequacy of memory

There she is laughing in the long hallway
The same thirty years later
You were never attracted although she was cute
You just liked her

He stood like a broad shouldered Jester
A delightful carefree traveler and wise councilor
The times — astonishment in a child
An amazing trust in friends

Then they were looking down
Care and worry on fevered brows
Whether (sane) or sinner didn’t matter
You always knew they loved you

You read the heartfelt poem of a friend
you’re in genuine awe of the Autumn
And display the quizzical gaze of an infant
You see all sunsets as if they are the first

You and your lover smile at the dove outside your window
Comforted by its beauty
All your friends are loose and laughing at a joke
Then they walk through a revolving door, and never emerge

You look and wonder
You look again
If you blink your eyes will they be gone?
Or will you even be able to know?

_

Peter W. Johnson — 12/07/2017