204800
Starry dark blue skies
Brought forth illumination
Over the city during the night.
As Baltimore begins to waken,
Sunlit trees and dimmed street lights
Quietly exchange posts signaling
The start of a brand new day.
Footsteps rhythmically collaborate as
As car engines rev then idle
Making their presence known.
A bit tired I rest my eyes a short while
Before I finish the last 2 hours
Of my drive from NC back to Jersey.
Silently I sit as I await my friend’s
Return from work to “recharge” my
Batteries with silly jokes and stories.
And within that moment of his arrival,
It was like a cue from a director:
Lights, camera, endorphins!
The shenanigans had started!
We exchange greetings and laughter
As character voices replace our own.
We converse over life’s challenges
Reminding each other of the strength
And love we regain when we call on
Our creator to get us through the
Hard times we’re having.
Essentially having church we,
Along with the Holy Spirit,
Restored and lightened our hearts
Bringing happy smiles to our faces
As I prepared for the drive home.
And it was with that one incident,
My fatigue completely dissipated,
Like it never existed and as we
Exchanged goodbyes and hugs,
I started my engine and continued
My day with a contented smile.
A text upon my arrival home
Was requested before leaving
And was obliged as I turned
Into the parking lot of my complex.
I thanked God for watching over and
Allowing me to travel without incident.
I prayed a special prayer for my friend
And his family.
Once inside my abode I breathed
A sigh of relief, dropped everything
In place and removed my shoes.
Alone, I quietly drifted
Off to sleep on my couch
For another few hours.
It was nice being able to
Watch the day break in Baltimore.
Completed ©12/30/23
By Juanita J. Smalls
