There is a ‘familiar’ phenomenon
of some old friends
who reconnect,
and assume they still know you well.
They have either forgotten
or do not know
that ‘knowing long’
is not the same as ‘knowing well’.
People change,
and surely much,
over many years,
subtly and/or drastically.
Our bodies and minds,
with their feelings, perceptions and intentions,
are in constant flux,
even if we look vaguely the ‘same’.
There are new lessons learnt,
if fortunate, to share,
and new grievances formed,
if unfortunate, to lament.
All relationships need to be maintained,
by all parties’ frequently relating to one another,
or even old friends
can become new strangers.
Is this not why
even the oldest friends need catching up,
lest there are so many changes,
that all left are half-remembered memories?
