Why I cannot Thank You

 

 

“It’s like an airport check-in”,

you intone as we stand under the numbers

of a post office desk, laughing

in the way we've done since childhood. 

Both of immigrant families. You help me send

a parcel to some of my ‘new’ friends,

the sort who sieve through my life
as passengers do through an airport departures    

 

“Why do I never get thank you

presents? You ask. I am silenced -

sit in wonderment at the years

I’ve spent in your company, the secrets,

 
sturdy and thick as a million aldragos,
favella-complex, we’ll always share.

I try to condense our decades into lines

but I cannot change the blank

 

of my brain, of the paper and know,

that if every tree in Brazil was felled,

there wouldn’t provide the paper to begin

to thank you for being my best friend.

 

Reviews

[Emily B]

my best friend has put up with me for at least 25 years . . . there isn't a thank you big enough for that

[Donald Meikle]

I can thank you and do, for all you've done to make us aware of the miss takes of mankind (That's not a typo) but you knew that

[Antonio Valentino]

This was gorgeous, I'm glad I got to read you, thanks for bringing back some faith in goodness, and lightening up my mood.

Lovely.
Antonio :)

[Jim W White]

Damn, you're really good at the old poems. Yet I sense you don't have to try too hard (hope that's not taken as belittling or dismissive). Such easy and honest sentiment, I suppose those gifts (the decades condensed; decribed but not mentioned & that would destroy rainforests) are given bountiful. Such simple but well placed language, and an earnestness that I think describes a best-friendliness that might be uniquely British. That is, any over-sentimentality isn't required but is readily given (in parenthesis, and it needn't be questioned/demanded). Very sweet.

[Phibby Venable]

this is very musical and lovely! And a poem every best friend would love to receive!

[Emily B]

oh, Sel, I've missed your words. . . kept waiting for a day when I could spend some time on just you, and it's been too long . . .

[Hedra Helix]

I love your work even the abstract seconds are so seated in moving narrative, your story is so complete while flowing lyrical. Its really pleasurable to my reading eye. Thanks ;)

[Aekmy]

Great job. This expresses the quality and value of friendship very well.

[Lunar Lightning]

I really like this poem. It does a very good job at expressing the closeness of two best friends.

Luna