This. Ed Shenan

In another time, our next escape?

You would open up to me, just a liitle more

Share with me

what’s on the inside of you

 

you would take me

to those places that

you hold on too

the places where you dream

places where you feel alive…

 

You would share…

more than hour or two

between crisp cotton sheets

tell me who you are

show me without words

 

you could be silent with me

–just be there

in each other’s closeness

quiet and safe

 

we never blame each other…

to play and to just be

you would need me

in a way that didn’t require words

 

something is getting closer,

that holds

what we are in secret and

to each other an undiscussed definition

 

never… really know when you will return

exhausted, worn, and mentally changed…

I can trust and wait

there is a magnetic pull

 

deep inside you alaways seem to

us coming and going

forward and backward

in and out of our own lives

 

your wisdom, strength, and Sincerity

in our words on a screen, I hear your strain,

your change in alliteration, single word responses

without asking……you summer,,,,undescribed… i hope

 

the ink of definitions

defining your life in pieces

you protect yourself – always on the go

what would happen if you stayed?

Gave yourself time

Rest, Reboot, revive, breath…

 

We would come full circle…

Before the adventure begins a new for you

Gone this time a month, a couple weeks –

Sometimes no answer –

 

Your spirit, your eyes, big heart –

the way you wrap your strong arms tightly

around me

 

Sneak away with me…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Gary Allen

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I woke this morning thinking of a friend of mine. The sound of rain hitting the window panes.  I have known her for 18 years maybe more.  I remember meeting her sitting across the table listening to her husband and my boyfriend rant on and on about farming. This was our first meeting.  We were both nervous if we would get along with the other.  By the end of the night we were peeing in the same stall calling each other best friends and how much we loved each other. She was in this amazing wool sweater and carried an awesome leather purse.  It all started with the a McMenamins Ruby beer.

I would say she is a very close friend of mine. Real friends last a lifetime and as corny as that sounds I truly believe it.  I have a few amazing friendships from high school that I adore and stay in contact with.  I can call them at any time and life just changes…they will show up no matter what. She is the same.

Although, I have not been friends with this particular friend for as many years.  It feels like a lifetime.  We have been through high high’s and some low low’s and still we find our way back to each other.  We continue on climbing the valleys and seeing amazing beauty in each other (I hope she feels that way J).  Or I sound like an ass J Ha!

She is one of the strongest women I know, she says; what she means- and that is, how it is going to be; without question.  She is the only woman I know who could actually kick a man’s ass no problem.  I have actually seen it almost go down.

She has beauty, spunk, fire and is so feisty.  She makes me laugh. Our memories are thick, deep, funny, emotional, but she is very dear to my heart. No matter what, if I called her I know she would be here if she could. She is completely an extrovert!! Opposite of me!

I am introvert down to my core! We have different ways communicate and solving problems.  She has very high expectations for the people in her life.  I respect her for that. I am lucky to know her.

Although we are very different and disagree on a few things here and there-our relationship has been steadfast despite where we are and where we are going. We have had our children around the same time and they have a special bond. I could write a novel on our relationship, everything we have been through.

Recently, we went camping and she showed an amazing amount of strength and courage in a very serious situation.  She was strong, collected, and somehow as I helped I felt calmed by her.  Later, something happened again and as I was the in the place she was before.  I knew exactly what to do because of watching her moments early.  I shouted her name and she came running and wrapped her arms around me so tightly…. after things calmed, she asked me how I was….

I don’t know if she saw the tears in my eyes but who wouldn’t want a friend like this.

The next Ruby is on me!

By A. Krauss[/audio

I love the smell of old books and seeing notes on the edges of the page and highlighted areas, words and phrases that meant something to someone else.  The crunch of fall leaves.  I love raw and honest conversations that can catch two people off guard and the intimacy that occurs in those moments.  I love being surprised, spontaneous, risky and feeling safe in someone’s arms.  I love “heat,” the crackling sounds and smells that come from a wood stove.  I love to feel challenged mentally and physically. I love to surprise others! I love blankets.  Soft thick heavy blankets and being buried underneath them.  I love getting dressed up every once in a while.  But I can’t beat my love for yoga pants, Hudson jeans, and perfectly worn out sweatshirts. I love writing. I love words. But I do not like texts because things get complicated, and thing become misinterpreted. I love exploring different environments – places I have never been, farms, fields, cities, and towns. Even more I love the high old growth trees that get lost in the sky, I love how they creak when the wind blows – the rain that drips from the needles… under these trees I would love a secret a place I only know about.  A place that was mine.