It’s no surprise
That you returned
Like a dog
Out for run
Muddied and tired
Or like snowdrops
Popping out of
Snowy cold ground
You reappeared now
We never ended
Yet like a
Wet fuse we
Fizzled out instead
Of the Ahhhhh
We said Awwww
Struck again with
Time perhaps now
We fly skyward
Popping to Weeee
On that green
Day came greetings
From far away
I’ll have all
Colors of wine
Which is now
Our own joke
You do see
When two people
Have their own
Silliness that’s repeated
It’s like a
Hatchling flapping wings
Before it’s first
Leap into sky
It’s the hallmark
Of something miraculous
About to happen
A newness of
Being one thing
About to become
Something very else
And like freshly
Received news or
Awaited letters you
Unfolded before me
Telling me secrets
And all kinds
Of things surprised
Like a child
Awakening to fresh
Snow or a
Curious dog cocking
His head I
Listened and knew
That once again
I had found
Right with you
A new friend
Not surprisingly I
Am giddy with
Glee like a
Child amidst boxes
Paper and ribbon
On Christmas morn
Saturated with newness
And lovely surprise
Like an excited
Puppy my happiness
Does embarrass me
But instead of
Tail my tongue
Wags too much
Excuse my verbosity
I mean no
Harm except to
Simply say weeeeee
For you are
In my life
Off you go
Many miles away
I wonder who
You will meet
And whether or
Not they’ll remind
You of me
Or will you
Pick them out
Like Dim Sum
Now I understand
What my dog
Felt when I
Disappeared behind doors
Of the schoolbus
Many years ago
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 