Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.
Anaïs Nin, (1903 – 1977), French-born American diarist…
Coach
he was sitting
slightly hunched
on a bench
in the park
around the corner
from the place
i’ve been staying
i was spying
from inside
a slow flowing
meditative
so Cali
sun set
salutation
i said excuse me
sir
do you mind
if i ask
what you’re reading
he was reading
a book
about the meaning
and purpose
of life
re-reading
the words
he had marked
about friendship
and happiness
Of all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness…
by far the most important is friendship.Epicurus, (341 – 270 BCE), Greek philosopher…
friendship
we talked
Coach & i
’til the sun
disappeared
about life
about love
about belonging
we talked
about fears
and vulnerabilities
we talked
about suffering
regret
resilience
and forgiveness
we talked
for many days
about the nature
and the fortune
of a friend
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, (1803 – 1882), American poet, essayist, naturalist…
a friend
a friend
may well be driven
to Trader Joe’s
to buy a card
for his pen pal
we promised
we would write
before he headed
back home
to Chicago
—
imagine
the feeling
in his heart
when he receives
my letter
I needed to write, to express myself through written language not only so that others might hear me… but so that I could hear myself.
Gabor Maté, (1944 – ), Hungarian-Canadian trauma specialist…
i needed to write
i needed
to write
to keep my balance
i needed
to write
to stay sane
i needed
to write
to reconcile
the conversation
in my brain
friends of OTC
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🙏🏼
if you’re reading
these words
really reading
i send you 💚
One of my best friends is 92 years old. Despite the vast age difference we connect on so many levels. I cherish all the moments we share. How wonderful for you to have an elder in your life 💖
So love your illustrations Darren, do you paint or are they AI generated?
And love this inter-generational ode!
And this wonderful quote which so exactly captures the excitement and recognition of a new friend:
"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."