REUNION

In a room full of people I used to know

I saw traces of youth I'd known long ago

I heard stories of woe, joy, and levity

And I wondered how they all remembered me

In a room full of people I used to know

I saw eyes dimmed by age

Yet they seemed to glow

I heard laughter ringing just like it once had

And I wondered if I couldn't be more glad

We were changed in some ways

Yet, we're still alive

We complained of our aches

Yet we've all thrived

We embraced warmly; friendship could still be found

Each one thankful the others were still around

The anxiety I'd felt before I came

Faded fast as soon as they all said my name

They confirmed for me that I still had my smile

It helped me decide to just stay a while

I was suddenly back in a happy space

Where I'd felt safe and loved more than in any place 

Surrounded every day by the work of their hands

Not yet impacted then by all that life demands

In a room full of people I used to know

I was grateful for grace; as I turned to go

I was glad I had not been stopped or delayed

From the lovely gift that was new memories made 

vrw© 2018