friends

dreams of missing

by

rehearsing in a space too small
at too steep of an incline
with too many rows of chairs
getting angry with my double
for never being around
playing with the children
as though my best friends

shift to living in a new house
where my sister is making coffee
only I’m the only one to see
baffled because she’s not here
my parents coming home from flights
while I’m planning my own…
a $200 round trip ticket to Europe

deciding to spend the three day weekend
in London to surprise my best friend
getting confused and saying Italy instead
because another friend is there
nearly missing my plane by a half hour
arriving in London and asking for Italy guides,
Euros, and then realizing my error
finding a place to stay
but seeing my friend only once

then slowly drifting awake
wondering why my mind is so weird
that I must dream so vividly
of missing people and missing places

this is the time

by

this is the time of year
for giving, for sharing
not only of money
but of yourself and love
time with those you cherish
a smile, wave and hello
to the child you don’t know
as you walk down the street
shopping for those many gifts
that you place beneath your tree
gathering around family and friends
those where you find home

so turn on those twinkling lights
heat up a cup of hot cocoa
make a wish over a yule log
curl up in a blanket and sup
enjoying every moment
being thankful for all you have
and the joy the surrounds you
for no present under the tree
can mean as much as making it
home with your family

perhaps

by

perhaps it was how you smiled
perhaps it was how you teased in good humor
perhaps it was how you didn’t like hugs
perhaps it was how you walked with me
perhaps it was how I shouldn’t care for you
perhaps it was how you let me help you
perhaps it was how you tried to be better
perhaps it was how we were fast friends
perhaps it was how you waited for me
perhaps it was how we seemed to flirt
perhaps it was how you didn’t know
but perhaps it was how I hid it so
that perhaps maybe I liked you more and more

family

by

Family is a flexible word.
Lots of things can build a family,
not just blood or marriage.
Some families become broken,
or come that way anyway.
There can be no mom or dad,
but grandma or grandpa,
aunts and uncles,
or fosters to help raise kids.
Two daddies or mommies
make just as good a family
as one with one of each.
Sometimes even friends
can become your family.
Because family, ohana,
isn’t about who feeds you–
it’s about where your heart
feels safe, feels warm,
like nothing matters more.
Family is where your heart belongs.
It’s where, no matter what happens,
you band together to help
one another, to share love.
So even if your family
isn’t conventional,
it’s still yours.
Cherish them.