Everyone has a friend that they lost along the way. Wouldn't it be nice if you could find them again...

Blue china tea pot
resting neatly on the tray
Little blue saucers,
set for childish play.

Giant bowls of ripened figs.
The smell of peaches, fresh.
Teddy bears in grown-up wigs,
wait patiently,... as honored guests.

Soft brown eyes
glisten bright with unshed tears
Pouty lips, all-a-tremble,
no one to ease the fears!

The guests long awaited,are finally here
but one chair stood, as yet unfilled,
the hour came,...and went again,
no "tea-mate" did appear.

The sun drew down her curtains,
while the moon threw up her shades.
and with pouty lips a-tremble
soft brown eyes became afraid!

Day in, day out,...their years rolled by
"Pouty lips" ceased both
to tremble and to cry
soft brown eyes, hollow,
in their emptiness
searched every face,...in every crowd.

The little blue teapot,
was replaced by one of silver
For where Teddy sat,...
in it's little chair
rested baby, ... in his cradle.

Then came the vibrant smell
of peaches, fresh
and brought back childhood longings
for "tea-mate"- lost so long ago,
from this very garden setting!

Voices now!...
thoughts captured, time stood in arrest.
something in the mannerisms of the
newest party guest?
and "tea-mate" lost, ...so long ago
stood on the threshold, ...pointing!

"There is my spot,...that's where I sat"
The chair still empty,...waiting.
But in the spot that Teddy sat,
- baby
- in his cradle.

Soft brown eyes,
slowly filled again with tears.
There on the threshhold stood "tea-mate"
Home again, after all these years!

copyright 2000 Naomi Ululani Hoomalu