NUMBER TEN--OUT-OF-TEN

SHORT STORY

Nine hundred miles north of home (Naples, Florida) 

is situated the state of Virginia. 

I read the message, from writer/poet/blogger Brian Miller

who resides in the 'city-of-enthusiasm', 

Virginia

"If you need to crash, our door is always open", he wrote.

Well, "crash"--to some--has a connotation of  

'drop by, eat a bowl of cereal, 

sack out on couch for five hours, 

and be on your way'. 

Brian did not realize that when I "crash"

...it is for three days and nights! HO! HO! HO!

He and I had never met

...and yet

for me, it was like two friends 

having a long-overdue reunion.

During one time I was left alone 

in their home

I met a Peep who stays with them,

My name for him: PRAYER-BOY

As Prayer-Boy and I were 

getting to 'know' one another

(Really!) I wondered that he 

did not know, nor worry,

that his lifetime here

is less than a year.

He and I talked of the gratitude

we share during our time 
there and there
and everywhere.

We viewed gazing, (gaping?)

at the backyard scene 

as must be enjoyed 
by Brian, his lovely wife, 

and two well-mannered sons.
(Camouflaged for privacy ;-)

Brian: back yard through screen of porch

Please understand

everything spotlessly clean, 

beautifully decorated, arranged:

Good, Orderly Direction.

Then in blew hurricane-a-roni 

to put some disorder in this 

Camelot

Picture is my room, 
with shower and bath in

comfortable basement corner.

In three short minutes

I made it look like 

THIS:

Staying with the Millers was 
restful, enjoyable. 
I was made to feel 
like a welcomed member 
of the family for three days

The high school Peeps 
who Brian is teaching
have no idea what gifts
they are receiving.
Nor does he know
how far he is reaching
into their lives.

Thank you, my friends!
LOVE, JOY and PEACE!
Steve E