I have been thinking about friendship this evening and how important it is to our well-being and our peace of mind. We have our lovely friends from Ukraine around at the moment, really close friendships made in such a short time last November and which have been renewed this week.
Tonight I share with you a beautiful poem by Naomi Shihab Nye. I have shared it before but feel it is good for today too. .
Red Brocade
The Arabs used to say,
When a stranger appears at your door,
feed him for three days
before asking who he is,
where he’s come from,
where he’s headed.
That way, he’ll have strength
enough to answer.
Or, by then you’ll be
such good friends
you don’t care.
Let’s go back to that.
Rice? Pine nuts?
Here, take the red brocade pillow.
My child will serve water
to your horse.
No, I was not busy when you came!
I was not preparing to be busy.
That’s the armor everyone put on
to pretend they had a purpose
in the world.
I refuse to be claimed.
Your plate is waiting.
We will snip fresh mint
into your tea.
