DEAR FRIEND

Dear Friend,

You're rather quiet today. 

Is it that you don't know what to say

because I screamed when you spoke?

Did I shut you up for good

or will you find your way through 

into the Sunshine once again?

And when you do that 

will it be with me by your side 

or will you move to another tunnel, 

in an opposite direction?

Maybe the Sunshine will be yours, 

maybe you'll smile again, 

maybe there will be others who see your viewpoint 

and don't scream like a flurried hen. 

But i wonder

if you will turn around

even just for a moment 

wondering at a flitting shadow...?

YOU AM I

I lean against the wall outside - 

an insignificant presence in the shadows

they'd like to ignore

as they strut importantly

down Corridors of Righteousness.

I run excitedly to greet, but

shrink from Cold Eyes.

"We know!" they say

"We belong!"

"We're the Righteous, the Chosen, the Divine

the Sacred, the Pious, the Good, the Belonging!"

they proclaim.

I withdraw to my vigil

outside the gate -

lounging in the shadows

against the wall

as they are anointed

and healed.

Prayers of Thankfulness on their lips now

Celebrations in their smiles

as they compare Badges of Belonging

throwing smiles of triumph and disdain

at me

and yet - 

somehow fearful...

They are gone -

Celebrations now

memories in the wind

autumn leaves falling...

I look up and smile

at you, smiling back

at me.

your one thought -

my one thought -

Never Goodbye.