Chris

You, of no fixed abode, could make a heaven

of a few soiled fields. Or, living on the road,

stand dignified as any glacier-cut mountain.

 

Your world fits in your traveller van: 

a miracle of electronic engineering, wired

like your brain, to everything. Your heart holds

 

the tales of a thousand childhoods

whilst your brain buzzes with the wisdom

of a hundred white-haired old ladies,

 

each esconced from conversation.

Though you've nowhere, you've the world,

and you always find a place for me.

 

I could have heard you, pharaoh-like

in torn jeans, jam for eternity in Egypt street.

The greatest buzz always is making others smile.   

 

Even then, in the twilight of our teenage years,

they'd say Chris is generous to a fault -

you taught me how to give and not be bereft 

 

at no returns and even the receipt -

was unpermanent ink on thin, easily torn

paper. Older now, on occassion, we catch

 

a strong dark coffee at some cafe,

but more likely a phonecall where seconds

elongate to hours, and you make me laugh -

 

I am still striving to adopt your ways. 

 

     

 

 

Reviews

[Distant horizons]

very nicely done. sounds like a good guy.

[Joiedevivre]

what a wonderful token of friendship. You have captured his spirit so well, I almost feel like I know him. I've written poems for friends before but they are nowhere near as brilliant as this. Penetrating poetic description- I think thats quite a skill.

[fireblossom]

I just love your heart Sel! This poem, as do so many of your works, shows loyalty, kindness and reflects true devotion to a friend. As always your words are direct and meaningful. Well done.

PS - I have always felt that were we friends you would gladly die to protect me. Me thinks I would do you the same........

[Emily B]

wishing your friend a brilliant birthday!

[AK]

A beautiful tribute indeed!