FRIENDS taken from: PERSONAL POLITICAL PERPLEXING

published by: Conservation Press

© Richard M. Gross 1999

Richard M Gross

Image of self

Without mirrors.

Reflection of worth

Among peers.

True friends -

Tempest or calm.

Always continuous

Riding high, begging alms.

Two decades' tumult.

The family's revolt.

Single, married, menage a trois,

Hurt feelings will mend,

Who remains? Your friend.

Roots flexible yet firm,

Time to comfort

Sometimes to spurn

Weeping willow

Stern Boston fern

World ever-changing

Some commitment we yearn.

So face each other.

Directions the same

Lover, sister, brother,

Only different in name.

Kinship and friendship

Are all that remain.