The Kind of Friend

I wanted the kind of friend who brought exotic
Who was on fire with life
An explorer with a reckless kind of foolishness that made me

cringe to consider the danger,
as well as feel honored to have such a close companion

One possessing bravado I could count on
to steel me to consequences beyond my worst fear,
basking in the comforting notion; they desired my company.
I had this pirate kind of appetite, that I'd know a bold spirit who would
dare challenge the convention of conditions
Dance the high wire above the gravity of situation.
One with earned scars, free from any hint of regret over how they were won
The sparkle in their eye would draw my imagination into the depth of
possibilities
Churning tempest framed by dark terror; 

contrasting delight and disdain in their flashes of personal lightning
revealing an ever-present toothy grin of defiance ~ a mystical euphoric pall

to their being amazed at having not yet perished
Quelling my ancient fears,

I'd be mesmerized with such flamboyant bravery.
For they were seasoned and resourceful
I wanted a hero of hearts
A buccaneer of sorts who was a straight shooter, possessing a personal glow of specific integrity
Expert dodger of direct, sublime in response to doubtful inquiry
They'd never leave a friend in the lurch
I wanted to know them, without their acquired bejeweled flash or social flair
Inside that rascal was the divine and golden heart
The saint of compassion and purchased understanding
The fathomless well of my hope.
Yes, I wanted to taste that spice in everything I ate
I wanted the fragrance in my hair, on my clothes, inculcated into the very DNA of my skin.
I wanted the reassurance of their scent drifting into my nostrils from my pillow

Each day as my weary head inclined towards rest.
When I saw moonlight, I'd see them dancing and singing with rapture

knee high in the boiling foam of the surf,

footfalls traced in sparkling sands
When I felt the mist of a waterfall on my face, I'd close my eyes and hear their laughter.
I wanted to miss them when I was prosperous, they knew how to enjoy wealth
I hunger for their comfort when I am disheartened.
The thief of my heart who unabashedly would jut out their chin defiantly
agitated by my protest that they were taking advantage

of my good will
As if to insult their roll
Looking perplexed and confused that I should question the magic of our shared invested venture
Partner into the robust flavor of living such
Time enough for writing whimsical fantasies
First live them with abandon
I could not fathom a single solitary moment

without their skin rubbing against mine,

their heat a salve,

an energy that revived me.
Capturing the courage I so desired to have

breathing in the sea air,

canvas rustling, sea birds calling in the azure sky, "Behold"
On the adventure beyond my horizon.
in sobriety come to terms with the actual
Being present all along
Chiding with a smile, 'remember'
Welcome home to your dreams
Of being authentic
Sojourner