An Old Friend Comes By

Yesterday my solitary home
opened to the visit of an old friend.
We drank tea together
and compared notes on life,
until, with an embrace,
he headed out into nightfall.

Today I noticed that the visit
seems to have smoothed out
some crinkles in my mind.
The wind outside is bitter,
kicking up swirls of snow
that glitter in the sun;
inside my home it is comfortable
and bright with afternoon light.

(December 8, 2025)