I lost a loyal friend this week
The truest one of all
Who listened quietly when I talked
And answered when I called

A friend who held no prejudice
No jealousy or hate
He never tried to change my ways
Or influence my state

He calmed me when I angered
Consoled me when I cried
He made me laugh, or simply sat
With me when I was quiet

We met when we were both still young
And full of energy
We roamed about outside for miles
And played contentedly

But then, when I got older
I chose to move away
A thousand miles across the sea
Cut off from yesterday

Yet every year when I returned
Our bond would be renewed
Though I had changed and seen the world
Our friendship still stayed true

I noticed though, as years went by
My friend was getting old
The life he lived, so wild and free
Began to take its toll

The time that I last saw him
I knew would be goodbye
He lacked that sprightly humour
And that twinkle in his eye

It seems to me he knew it too
Though he would never say
When I was home he stayed close by
My side throughout the day

My friend’s departure broke my heart
And left an empty hole
To lose a childhood friend creates
A gap within your soul

But in it, I will place a box –
A simple diary of
The memories he gave: Of joy,
Companionship and love

So here’s to you my special friend
You may no longer be
But you’ll play always in my heart –
The closest part to me

​***

There will come a time
When I can no longer stare at these soft hills,
When I can no longer brush
The head of this grass across my wrist,
When I can no longer rest
My ears against this peaceful silence,
And caress my cheek
Against this sweet breeze,
Perfumed by grass and moist soil.

There will come a time
When I can no longer open this veranda door,
Inhaling this contentment of coffee and dew,
And the gentle note of my mother’s voice:
“Good morning!”
When I can no longer sink
Into this symphony of rustling birch leaves,
Faint grasshoppers and repeating turtle doves,
And touch this sun, warm on my back.

Then, I will be cast adrift
In a cry of neon signs and sirens,
A face at every turn,
Concrete under every footstep,
I will float away
In a shouting world,
That never could understand
The joy of solitude,
The companionship of nature.
Then, my familiarity will be artificial,
My home will be a raft
In a stormy sea.

…But that time is not now.

So I will take a minute
To gather up these quiet moments,
Like Lego bricks,
And build them,
Piece by piece,
Into a soundproof room.
And there I will live,
In the moments before I fall asleep,
And the noises outside my window then
Will become those of this true home.

​***

​What is the difference between right and wrong?
When you are right, to a person who is wrong, you are wrong,
But if you are right, to a person who is right, you are right
Likewise, when you are wrong, to a person who is right, you are wrong,
But if you are wrong, to a person who is wrong, you are right.
So: Wrong to wrong is right, and right to wrong is wrong.
But right to right is also right, and wrong to right is also wrong.
Therefore, wrong can be right,
And right can be wrong.
So in fact, there is no difference between right and wrong!
​
 ***