FAMILY OF FRIENDS

Families of friend can fill a void
with welcome and warmth.
Three of our parents have passed away.
Brothers and sisters divided up
into growing family sections.
A Christmas eve visit at Cat and Dody’s
old rambling house with children’s anticipation.
Shay Shay running around.
A wild child waiting for Santa.
The college girls having a gift swap with their friends.
A house teeming with love and laughter.
I feel as if I am being nurtured
like Lily in “The Secret Life of Bees.”
I want to go upstairs and sink into one of the beds.
The smell of serious cooking, massive amounts
of an inviting aroma that is part of the people
who share so much love for each other and for us.
Long time best friends.
Summers of barbeques and bat mitten.
Rich green grass and a porch swing.
The colors of summer and winter shared.
The colors of us welcomed in their home
and the colors of them welcomed in ours.