by Beth A. Rogers
Your face, your smile, I have never seen.
I don’t know the color of your skin.
Your voice and laughter I have never heard.
I don’t know if it is soft or loud.
Your hugs I have never felt.
I don’t know the strength of your arms.
Your hand I have never touched.
I don’t know if it is calloused and worn.
But to me you are my friend:
Dearer and sweeter than many I’ve found.
The questions come to me, “How can that be?”
“You don’t know a face, touch, or a sound.”
But is it the physical nature of a person
That causes me to call you “my friend?”
Or the feel of a touch or the strength of a hug?
I don’t need those for you to be my friend.
You have shared with me words of strength
When at times I have felt weak and worn.
You have brought to me a smile, a laugh,
Uplifting me and bringing me joy.
You have bent your “ear” to me and listened,
Then gently guided and directed with your words.
You have hugged me tight, wiped my tears,
Then generously given to me above and beyond.
You are more to me than words on a screen;
For behind those words is a person who cares.
A person with feelings, a tear, and a laugh,
Who holds my mind safe and secure.
For even though I don’t know your face, your touch,
I feel and see you in my mind.
You have been all to me that I’ve needed you to be
Now and forever within my heart…
My Faceless Friend.