[For the Christmas Eve prompt from Two Sylvias Press]

Friendships start
often
in
good times
easy times
hopeful times
eager times

Friendships fade
often
through
changing times
hard times
sad times
withdrawn times

Friendships deepen
sometimes
through all times
even times
without contact
for years

Then a lunch, maybe,
with hands held
for a moment
remembering
shared private losses
hard choices
disappointments

Friendships deepen
sometimes
through all times
even times
living apart
maybe for years

Visits and phone calls
FaceTime and Skype
virtual shared cuppas
travel together
rejoicing together
laughing together
sorrowing together
crying together
sharing wisdom and folly

Acquaintance, colleague, chum
come and go, start and end
In my life just a few become
a treasured wondrous friend