We Once Were Friends

Blogging is a funny thing. You never know what is going to touch someone. I'm feeling a bit better now, but for the last few days I have felt like holy crap. I stayed home from work yesterday, and blew my nose incessantly. I slept. I read. I got tired of that and got up and posted a blog. I wasn't exactly feeling inspired, so I wrote about what was going on. I was sick. I have memories of being sick as a kid. I like being catered to when I'm sick. Apparently this strikes a chord with people. I thought I was just blathering to fill space since I hadn't felt like blogging for a few days. Well, thanks to any who read my blathering in this space, and I hope every once in a while I manage to strike a chord with all of you.

Anyway, today is a lovely day as sunniness goes. It's still a bit cool, though. When I left the Outpost, it was 63 degrees. When I arrived in Streeterville, it was 61 degrees under sunny skies. Currently Mr. Online Weather guy tells me it has dropped off to 58 degrees. Nevertheless, the view from the 14th floor is much lovelier today than yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that. There is not a cloud in the sky. Lake Michigan is a wonderful shade of blue. One could almost believe that it's warm enough for al fresco dining, if one were to judge by the picturesqueness of the view. (For the record, it's still a little cool.) By Friday, Mr. Weather Guy tells us we may see 80 degrees. Then my friends, we will be dining with my friend Al, Al Fresco.

I'd like to depart a little from my usual modus operandi today. Recently I was contacted by an old friend whom I hadn't heard from in 30 years. At one time, just after I graduated from college, we shared an apartment. We had a little act, and played at parties. He played guitar and sang a bit. I sang a lot, and did in between songs patter. We moved on. He started playing with a band. I took up acting. I left the state and the next thing you know it was 2009 and old friends were contacting me via Facebook.

Now my friend in question still lives in Arkansas and I have moved around the world and alit in Chicago. He still lives for the woman he loves and his music. I have had a huge world of experience since leaving Arkansas, and I feel like I am a completely different person than I was 30 years ago. I like to write all about it. He tends to send 3 sentence e-mails once every 2-3 weeks. Anyway, I was thinking about this today, and suddenly the following poem came gushing out in a 5-10 minute spurt. I'd like to share it with you.

We Once Were Friends

We once were friends
We're different now
Not good, not bad
Just diverged somehow

Our paths once crossed
We shared a dream
We went our ways
Then came new schemes

Your life was yours
My life was mine
Came back together
On down the line

It's nice to visit
Remember times
Find out what's passed
Both yours and mine

But in the end
We all must go
Back to our lives
Where we did grow

We are the products
Of diverse paths
Must needs continue
For life goes fast

Salute old friend
Respect to you from here
For your life's troubles
And my life's tears

Just keep my image
In mind somehow
We once were friends
We're different now

R.D. Ray
4-22-09