a short reflection from long ago; written in November 1984

There once was time
When things were more simple than now.
Friendships were closer, stronger;
But that all seems to have changed somehow.

It used to be that we
Could talk and listen for hours;
Anywhere we wanted to.
The we used as we needed, it was ours.

The separation was gradual,
At first anyway. Then others came and went.
Their reasons varied.
But they had their own lives and offered little repent.

Some are still with us,
Though they be scattered in other places.
Others have moved away,
And it's those smiles I need from friendly faces.