I left the house of an old friend, one hot summer's night, and the questions of the future hung like bells waiting to be rung. Ignition - lights - reverse gear The shadow of his form watched me as I pulled away. I waved my farewell, knowing that I was invisible inside the car, yet I thought I caught a glimpse of his goodbye. I wondered to myself about the bonds between people, friends understanding and knowing for years. It seemed that somehow the bond told things no words could ever speak, showed things no person would ever reveal, and strengthened the mystery of friendship. I dropped from my pondering to make a right turn. I was in no rush to get home, there was nothing waiting there for me but a bed to sleep in, and the bells would still hang silent in the morning. My being was distracted by solitude, my eyes were distracted by the night sights. The sheen of water captured my vision, there were sprinklers releasing water, I wanted to experience that joy… I removed my clothing and ran naked through the cleansing water in the cleansing night air. I felt the glee of youth and kissed innocence. A stoplight distracted me as I drove on; just a dream, always just a dream. My travel, this hot summer's night, took me to my driveway, my house. The crackle of the car in the cool night air soothed me as I rolled up the window and closed the door. The stars called my name, and I glanced at them in recognition. The lights of the sky seemed to conquer the lights of the city as I gazed. I found two stars circling one another, two friends dancing, laughing, twinkling. They were intertwined on the same path of life, like threads in a tapestry of fate. Ever stars understand friendship. I turned my sight back down to earth, walked inside, a smile on my face. One bell will always ring friend-ship… friend-ship… friend-ship.
All Poems and Writings ©1997 Barry Alexander Pease. Do not reprint without author's permission.