Friends

     In my life there are friends who have been with me as long as I can remember. Calling them "long time friends" seems more helpful than "old" friends. It's a delight to remember events from shared childhood. Other friends have been special to me for decades, so again, there are precious memories both past and present. There still other friends who've been known to me for some years but not many decades. Then there are recent friends who bring special-ness, in part, becasue they enliven a stage in later life that can often be lonely.
     Dogs brought us together. Peter and Sandy, recent friends, residents of my condo building were often out walking their dog while I was out with Trygve. One thing led to another and eventually we were doing weekly coffee outings. Literature is important to me, and to them, but they are far beyond me as frequently published authors, their books being sold on Amazon. Peter is a frequently published poet and he sent me a copy of his recently published book of poetry: Adding the Subtractions:Poems of Love and Grief, P.M.F. Johnson, copyright 2020. The book is available from Amazon. Sandy writes under the name Sandra Rector and her novels are sold by Amazon.
    In a section of Peter's book of poetry called Adding the Subtractions this poem appears. P. 65.

                                                          Evidence

                                                        (For Al N.)

                                    The butter dish is always empty,

                                     he noticed aloud. Not with any

                                     superior intent. That he noticed

                                     in himself, anyway. But her reply 

                                     came quick: and you never put 

                                     the toaster cover back on.

                                     It was embarrassing and amusing

                                     as he apologized.

                                     But now on these late summer mornings

                                     he carefully puts the cover on.

                                     Not out of guilt exactly,

                                     more a disquiet 

                                     to fulfill a request

                                     that only mattered then.

                                     If he responds, she still matters.

     Thanks Peter!   Readers may expect to see more of Peter's work in this blog.

Takk for alt,

Al