looking forward to our friendship.

you, with those big brown eyes.
the way the crows feet surround them,
i look at you and feel the sadness;
the weight of how much you hold:
your family, your love, your desire to change this world.

you cause me to come home
and swallow three chocolate chip cookies.
the ones you would have eaten
if you weren't afraid of what's up my stairs.
the ones you would have eaten
if we didn't already spend so much time together.
the ones you would have eaten
if you weren't debilitated by the idea of poison.

your presence urges me to read more;
to listen to the words and understand the history.
to invest in word play and expand my skills.
your intuition is astounding and overwhelming, too.

and when i'm around you i feel safe.
safe to tell you the dark secret
about bin laden's death without judgment.
safe to tell you the bright secret
about my relationship with the inanimate objects in my house:
cupcakes and clothes, they don't actually talk back.

ultimately, though, it's your wisdom.
i am absolutely and positively attracted to your experiences
and the way you interpret them.
and i'm reminded of them,
every time i see the crows feet around your eyes.

it's going to be a good year:
i'll continue to listen
as you continue to share.