Kindled Cozy, a poem

Friendships and relationships
Kindle in the beginning
Filled with passion, excitement
Long nights by the fire
Learning, connecting, igniting
Late night conversations
Smiling, laughing until jaw hurts
Later on the partnership dims
Hazy days dull the sparks
Then a coziness settles in
Simmering, continual flames over bright burns
A comfortable duet ensues
Becoming a favorite blanket, sweatpants
Makes you warm, makes you whole
Lounging as your most vulnerable self
Less outside worry, more internal beauty
Days, weeks, months, years go by
When a sudden burst of gratitude appears
An intense love rekindled
Remembering days of the past launch
Appreciating the present moments
Thankful for the future ahead
From new friends or lovers
To longtime loves and supporters
A mixing of controlled burn with fierce blazes
That create the memories of our lifetime.  

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A poem written over a few days from Dec. 1 – 5, 2024.

Author’s note:
I was inspired to write this poem after first watching my youngest daughter’s recent interactions with two different sets of friends – newer friends who she’s known for just a year or less and a longtime friend she’s known for more than six years. I watched the interactions with them and then reflected on my friendships and my relationships with certain people in my life. When you connect with someone new, it’s exciting and fueled with a bit more passion. Then over time, that passion can/may dull a bit and settle into something easy and comfortable. But those longtime friendships and partnerships can be rekindled and burn bright again too at different times and moments making them even more special. All are important, and this was fun to write and think about all the people who make up my life and the ones I get to observe.

One of my friends suggested I publish this poem after sharing it with her. I decided to self-publish it here rather than look for a place to publish it. Sometimes it’s more fun and empowering to have control over my creative work and do it this way. I hope you enjoy it.