I randomly remembered this poem that I wrote years ago (maybe around 1995 or 1996?) but do not have in this blog, as far as I know. It was first written for my friend David and later became my personal email signature. It's a good poem for any good friendship, perhaps!
Though shadows lengthen and fade
And seasons brown the blade
May we on friendship's lawn stay
Forever and a day.
Spring green leaves against a storm blue sky is a type of joy.
The sound of temple bells in the half-dark of evening, the smell of agarbatti and piled jasmine, a gentle breeze rustling the trees - that is a type of peace.
The smell of ripe, fresh cut jackfruit on a hot afternoon - that is a type of happiness.
When the headlights of a passing car throw shadow and light across your bedroom wall at 4 am - that is a type of loneliness.
When passing cars fill the rainy early evening with susurrations - that is a type of loneliness.
When you realize you're not actually a part of something that you are a part of - that is a type of loneliness.
When someone gets wonderful news or has something positive happen to them, when you see them smile and shout for happiness, and your heart fills with a vicarious joy, when you first thought is how glad you are for them - that is a type of wealth.
When you have a good memory that you can easily remember, with every smell, color, sound, and feeling, and just closing your eyes brings it to life even in your darkest moments - that is a type of wealthy.
When evening has fallen but the sky is not yet dark, when shadows appear in the unlit recesses of balconies and porches and on the fronts of darkened houses where no one is home yet, then a car's passing headlights throw brief and halfhearted light over them—this is a type of loneliness.
Imagine having just enough friends that you decide not to have any more, no matter how interesting, kind, or compelling a person is. This is a type of wealth.
