Amid Old Friends

Amid old friends, a working hand
comes down hard.  Fear falls on the land,
as a fist becomes a hammer,
a glass tabletop to shatter.
A man, afraid, will take a stand

when, not according to his plan,
he receives a humble brand
and is loath to drop the matter
amid old friends.

Shards sing out how rage will expand
into violence, will demand,
with a loud rattle of anger
and a bang of bad behavior,
that we heed a fool’s reprimand
amid old friends.

The Best Thing About Old Friends

The best thing about old friends is:
You can visit them in a cool city like
Atlanta, near a really entertaining and
educational attraction—the Aquarium.
Your old friends have been successful and
own a beautiful home with a guest
bedroom suite that has its own bathroom.
There is another room for your children!
They treat you to lunch at the Varsity
then buy your tickets to enter the Aquarium.
Later, they sit and listen while you tell your
interests and opinions. These turn out to be
many of the same things they say are their
thoughts and intentions as you listen to them.
You eat grilled tender steaks together and
decide there are many best things about
your old friends. And while you’re chewing and
sitting and listening and being
listened to, you begin to recognize a surprising
sensation you never expect to be feeling
this side of heaven. And you know that your
old friends are the best thing about them.