*Aug. 9, 2003.

I'm meeting an old friend this evening
and I don't know what to think.
The last time I saw her was almost exactly seven years ago,
right before I went to Basic Training.
We practically grew up together, her and I
as my grandma watched us both after school
along with my cousins and a few others.
We hung out in High School, years later,
and I took her to her Prom as no one else would--
and I haven't seen her in seven years--
nor have I seen the others from those days.
I suppose we all went our separate ways--
they were all loyal friends but time passes on.
Besides, I'm the one that went scurrying around the world
not ever back home long enough but to visit family.
Still, I think of the others from those days, time and again
and sometimes wonder where time has carried them.
Really, I was surprised when my old friend called
returning the call from the number I had trusted the phone book on.
Seven years is a long time and so I'm a little nervous
and anxious to see how this meeting goes--
hopefully this will lead to getting hold
of the others too, so I can find out what they're doing.
I fear time has slipped me, though,
the phone book has nothing to say
concerning them, anyway,
so who knows.
But, I wish them the best
wherever they found a nest.