An old friend said something
strange to me today.
He said,
"You've watched me change
more than I have."
And I, politely, but in a hopelessly confused manner,
replied
"...what?"
He paused for a moment, thinking,
And there were memories in the creases of his eyes
And under his fingernails.
"I don't look at myself too often,
I suppose,"
he concluded after a miniature eternity
of careful consideration. "But
you
have seen me change.
you've been looking at me with those eyes
for a lot of years."
He stroked his chin and grinned.
"You've even watched me grow
this
beard.
Even though I,
myself,
haven't.
Not really."
And suddenly, I was certain
that old friends
are one of the most beautiful things that
the universe has to offer.
