Fragile Friendship?
by
Bonnie Parham Lee
Twelve years ago John and I
met Joe and Gwen.
Polite, friendly acquaintances
because of mutual friends.
Friends who shared
Thanksgiving turkey,
Christmas carols,
Easter eggs, bunny cakes.
John's illness brought us closer.
John's death created bonds.
Our friendship flourished.
We shared a love of nesting birds,
Trillium blossoms in the woods,
Clematis, (why did Gwen's have
many blooms and mine only three?)
Dogs, cats and dinner chats.
Joe's jokes, tales - and
his helping hand.
Writing anchored us,
taught us to appreciate
each others unique style.
Came the "Test"…The three of us,
a cabin, the mountains of New England
for two weeks.
Would this friendship survive?
We shared - took turns
fueling an old wood stove,
making coffee,
working in a small kitchen.
One bathroom…door closed,
because someone's in there,
or to keep the room warm?
We walked rugged roads,
under a leaf-forest of gold, flame-red,
burgundy and toasted brown.
Climbed Mount Monadnock for six hours.
Moaned our way up, groaned our way down.
Aching bent backs, quivery loose legs,
bruised bunions.
Last day. Clean the cabin
do laundry, pack our bags,
catch a night-flight.
Home.
Yawned our good-byes,
"We'll get together soon."
Oh joy, sleep till noon.
Phone clatters me awake.
"Good morning, fire's started, coffee's on!"
Friendship Test…A+.
Copyright April 4, 2000
OR