Ode To a Friend

When I was in high school taking AP English, we had to read a lot Lord Byron and John Donne.  Like, a lot.  It's only been since coming into adulthood that I've been able to appreciate the wealth of literature I was exposed to, and how it has continued to resonate, years after first laying eyes on it.  One of my favorite types of prose was the ode, a poem written especially for (or to) a person, place or thing.  Some of them are romantic, some are heartbreaking, and some are just a bit silly.  I love them all.

I'm feeling a little tender-hearted about my good friend Emily right now.  She just left my house after our weekly "Knit Night" session, and I find that time with my friend is truly food for the soul.  She would likely be mortified if she knew I was writing about her, but still...it's all good stuff, so here I go.

   Ode To a Friend

We examine photos of wildlife scat

both of us needing to know what animal was that

I love my friend who can talk poop

as freely as me.

This is my ode to Emily.

I bug you with late-night calls and texts

You must wonder what will be next

Perhaps for your child yet another

Thomas the Tank DVD?

This is my apology, Emily.

Notice how during Knit Night we don't knit?

Notice how we don't seem to mind one tiny bit?

We've talked and we've chatted

through years one, two and (now) three

You are a good friend to me, Emily.

Wednesdays are market days, so special and fun

Hikes on the trail, see our girls run

Thanks for all of these wonderful memories

No one deserves an ode

more than you, Emily.