New Friend

Dedicated in chronological order—when our friendship began—to Cindi, Judy, Sara, Jane, Carol, Tobi, and Kari.

New Friend

I won’t tell you about my new friend.

Not just yet.

There are proofs for each of us

before wearing that badge:

confidences kept, prayers spoken,

gentle honesty more ready than advice,

sincere apologies when run-ins arise

and space that transcends judgment,

keen intuition in ample dose,

praise humbly bestowed

on the other’s person

not just joy in accomplishments,

ease enough in company

—even after 40 years—

to sit in silence, hear birdsong,

and watch squirrels scamper,

courage to say, “I love you!” when bidding

adieu (I commend you to God),

and most importantly

the ability to make each other laugh.

These are things that time only tells.

So, I won’t call her a friend. Not just yet.

© 2017  Denise C. Buschmann

Published in Australia Times Poetry Magazine, February 2017
https://www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/poetry/issue/503/#1

I discovered this quote tonight (on 2/13/17) after this poem was published while reading William Shatner's Leonard: My Fifty Year Friendship With a Remarkable Man:

Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.                —Vincent Van Gogh

P.S. I also had the word "treasure" in all but my final version because I thought the reader would ascertain my meaning that a true friend is a treasure. Vincent and I were thinking alike when we wrote "gentle honesty," as well! We must have been listening to the same muse. So glad I found this quote last night!