Friends, Neighbors & Love's Labours

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Pell
Member

since 2001-09-16

Posts 134
Pacific NW

0 posted 2004-08-17 05:19 PM

Friends, Neighbors & Love's Labours

I, the shy new resident
in your quiet cul-de-sac.
You, generous with intent,
human contact that I lacked.
For tasks I found too daunting
we agreed a friendly trade,
the skills you were left wanting
when widower you were made.

Morning routine evolved thus;
ritual coffee, shared blends
over the fence that made us
good neighbors and better friends
over time, moving indoors
for comfort and casual parlay
when moods or weather were poor.
Warm and dry our want, that day.

You were restless, speaking light
belied the turmoil below.
Time-pressed, I saw not your plight.
Though loathe to break your slow
reverie, I rehearsed chores
and tasks, errands for the day
(mental note to lock the doors)
in distracted disarray.

Can't recall now what I missed,
a checkbook- or was it keys?
Smiling, you did not assist
crawling 'round on hands and knees
looking for the glasses perched
snickering upon my head.
And oh, how my stomach lurched
on the parting words you said...

(The same lurch, the tug of war
that rolls me when I arrive
home and hope to see next door
your car sitting in the drive.
In dark hours your light aglow,
wishing you were sleepless
by the same cause as me, though
my glimpse you've never witnessed).

...Rendered speechless, I struggled
for composure, tried and failed.
Fumbled for words as I juggled
cellphone and outgoing mail.
Irrelevant now, they fell
out of my hands and my mind,
forgotten in the growing swell
as you released your verbal bind;

All these mended shirts I need
because they've touched your fingers.
In the kitchen late I read
when there your perfume lingers
under scents of casserole
and memories of laughter.
I must confess upon the whole,
you go, and I'm less after.

I find reason no longer,
more excuse I can't invent.
In truth,  my care grows stronger
than mere favors represent.
You've come to see as no one can.
You know my heart, I think.
A wish more to be near you than
to fix your clogging sink.

I know your heart much as my own,
the blueprint's in my head-
I'll be here when you come home,
and waiting, in your bed.

[This message has been edited by Pell (08-18-2004 02:41 AM).]

Startime55
Member Elite

since 2003-04-05

Posts 2148
Alberta, Canada

1 posted 2004-08-17 06:26 PM

WOW!!! Picture perfect...

Copperbell
Senior Member

since 2003-11-08

Posts 956

2 posted 2004-08-17 06:28 PM

beautiful poem

Pell
Member

since 2001-09-16

Posts 134
Pacific NW

3 posted 2004-08-17 06:32 PM

Startime, Copperbell- thank you both kindly for wading through the morasse hehe. Glad you enjoyed.

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

4 posted 2004-08-17 08:29 PM

Ah, very nice -- sweetly romantic.

Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

5 posted 2004-08-17 09:13 PM

Pell! I smiled,...
and cried...

it's wonderful!

Nightshade

Member Patricius

since 2001-08-31

Posts 13962
just out of reach

6 posted 2004-08-17 09:48 PM

Excellent write ! Enjoyed. Chris

"At one glance
I love you
With a thousand hearts."

— Mihri Hatun, Turkish poet

Pell
Member

since 2001-09-16

Posts 134
Pacific NW

7 posted 2004-08-17 09:54 PM

Susan,
Thanks for reading, I'm glad you stopped by.
Not *too* sappy I hope *wink*

Sunshine,
Oh my gosh...

sigh to my heart and hug for my soul, you are kind. Squeeze you...

Pell
Member

since 2001-09-16

Posts 134
Pacific NW

8 posted 2004-08-17 09:56 PM

Chris, Thank you!

* goes surfing for Mihri Hatun *

iliana
Member Patricius

since 2003-12-05

Posts 13434
USA

9 posted 2004-08-17 11:09 PM

Melissa, this was so good. What a sweet story!

....jo

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

10 posted 2004-08-17 11:55 PM

Loved the title, "Friends, Neighbors & Love's Labours! It's just perfect for this touching poem! An engaging read!

Love & Light ~ and Loving Neighbours!

EA

Pell
Member

since 2001-09-16

Posts 134
Pacific NW

11 posted 2004-08-17 11:56 PM

Jo,
Thank you, pleased and tickled by your thoughts.
You give great hugs

EA, lol it was the hardest part to come up with, but seemed to fit. So glad you liked, thanks much.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

12 posted 2004-08-18 12:00 PM

Enjoyed...James

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

13 posted 2004-08-18 02:47 AM

awesome write!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

14 posted 2004-08-18 09:28 AM

What a wonderful story! *S* I like this very much... and the title is perfect! *S*

Pell
Member

since 2001-09-16

Posts 134
Pacific NW

15 posted 2004-08-18 10:47 AM

James, thanks much.

passing shadows, hope you got some sleep, ya nightowl :P Thank you.

suthern, so pleased you liked, thanks for reading

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