Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another:
“What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .””
— C.S. Lewis (The Four Loves)
I am struck dumb at the realisation that I am not alone. For so many years I have wondered about this island, aware of others, but never aware of anyone actually noticing me. As the autumn approaches and the leaves around me take on their winter hue and the evenings are now refreshingly cool I look at you across from me, wondering how has it been that I have been here, traveled the length and breathe of his land and never noticed you before.
I was content in thinking I was alone. We had been nodding acquaintances prior to today. I do recall passing you on my way to the fountain to gather my water for the day. A nod grew into a few words then a few more until today you stopped me and for the past four hours we have been in this most earnest of conversations.
We have so much in common, similar pasts, the same tastes in foods, surprisingly we know the same people. But more so is the ease of our conversation, how we have traveled from one end of each other’s experience to the dreams of our respective futures.
The openness of our chat has warmed my heart, given me hope I can still connect, still converse, still…..dare I think it, love again.
awakenings
new horizons blossoming
exhilaration
Written for: http://haibunthinking.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/haibun-thinking-week-14-april-22nd-2014/
Morpethroad 
That was really lovely
Thanks so much Richard.
You’re welcome 🙂
Thats lovely, I was trying to attribute it to something specific ie a person to person or going out of the box, plant to bee or something, then I just realized, I hope correctly, one season to another and friendship? Or am I really thinking too deeply about this.
No it’s always refreshing to read peoples thoughts on what I write. The nature of the haibun is to try and include references to travel, something seasonal and nature. For me each week that is my task to try and create a piece within that framework, hence references to season, nature and travel. Your interpretation is valid Justine, it’s a person realising he is not alone as he meets another person who has thought like him. Hence the reference to the prompt. It’s lovely to read your comment and no you aren’t thinking too deeply, just responding as you see it and that’s fine. Thanks so much for reading and your comment.
A pleasure as always x
It’s always good when you realise you are not alone. Well written 🙂
Thanks so much Al. It’s a pleasant realisation that’s for sure.
It is 🙂
Michael, that is so touching
Thank you Belinda, I appreciate you reading and your comment.
a true pleasure
Thank you.
I thought you were writing about something that actually happened to you then read you passed each other on the way to get water from the fountain so I guess its not true. Lovely story anyway and I hope something like that happens in your day to day reality.
Thanks Suzanne, in a sort of way it is.
Wonderful Haibun Michael. It’s my hope that in a round about way you did mean yourself and someone in your life. But I’m a romantic.
Thanks Jackie, you could be so very right.
That was beautiful, I especially loved the line “how we have travelled from one end of each other’s experience to the dreams of our respective futures” that’s a keeper 🙂
Thank you Helen, I am happy you could connect.
Lovely…
Thank you so much RoSy.
Like your story…so full of hope and happiness, makes me feel warm inside. Great haibun!
Thanks so much Georgia. I hope you are having a good day.
Just read this now…the morning is beautiful and the birds have just finished their concert…not bad!
I have made many friends through interconnecting internet sharing words.
We are lucky that way I think – to be in a welcoming community of writers. 🙂
aloha Michael. you have caught the kindling spirit of this relationship with great insight and accuracy. and in so doing, given purchase to a valuable asset to life—hope, and the belief in possibilities. very cool. aloha.
Hi Rick, thanks so much for your comment and insight into this piece.
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