Dear Long-Time, Cherished Friend of Mine

By: JANA GREENE

Dear long-time, cherished Friend of Mine,

We haven’t talked in ages.

I think the last time we ran into each other,

we promised to get coffee together.

And I had every intention

of sitting in a Starbies with you,

catching up on life.

But invariably, I get sick. Or injured.

My health is a real wet blanket.

Or you had something come up, last minute.

We cordially canceled our coffee date,

making a mental note to call soon and reschedule.

Because you are important to me,

even though life’s flow doesn’t consider us worthy

of a got-damn break.

Or perhaps our kids grew up together,

and we did the Mommy circuit;

falling in friend-love with each other,

laughter the order of the day.

Maybe we bonded over parenting pratfalls,

and the utter ridiculousness of raising kids

in a muddled-up world.

Perhaps our kids outgrew each other,

and we did too.

We keep up with one another

on the Book of Faces,

what a strange world it is where

digitality will do in a pinch.

But I think of you so often,

and the precious times we spent together.

You are still amongst the dearest people to me.

I hope you know that.

Maybe we were coworkers, years ago.

But went in different directions.

Perhaps we once shared a philosophy,

but do not any longer.

Or a religion, that now feels like a cult.

A legit cult.

Or politics, where we towed the party line,

red or blue,

no allowance for gray.

And now we disagree,

so contact seems strained.

I’m sorry it feels strained.

But things are not black and white;

red and blue.

These days, it feels clockwork orange,

as we find ourselves governed by fools

who successfully divide us.

If I loved you once, I love you still.

And I hope you understand that

even if we have lost touch,

I am still cheering for you from over here

in the Upside Down.

And I still have every intention

of meeting you for coffee,

or lunch,

or to start a Revolution.

Thank you for being a friend.