Lines of ink on paper sheets
Are all I have to mark the trail
From me, from here, to you out there
Just a letter in the mail
You tell me snatches of your life
Some general, some in detail
I try to read between the lines
In your letter in the mail
In turn I send you bits of me
A window to my life unveil
Though all you see is through my eyes
In my letter in the mail
Maybe one day we will meet
Face-to-face complete the tale
Of stories sent across the sea
All our letters in the mail
The blazing sparks of friendship grow
From kindled flame to warming glow
People come and go in turn
Flames start up then lower burn
But always for that warmth will yearn
Where blazing sparks of friendship grow
Each piece of wood burns on its own
Uniquely makes its nature known
Slowly morph and meld until
Flames unite the space to fill
Though sharing heat and kindling, still
Each piece of wood burns on its own
At last the embers burning bright
Spread solid heat into the night
Differences unite to form
Common goals, to light and warm
A base to weather any storm
Within the embers burning bright
I am reaching out to see
If you are reaching out to me
For though it’s hard, I really mean
To be safe and to be seen
I am peeling off the layers
Hardened by snubs and shame and glares
To let my eyes again have sight
Though squinting, turn away from light
The darkness beckons me, retreat
Back to the cell of safe defeat
But if I stand strong, I will see
The light and love to set me free
