For fifty years
she wrote to Yolanda
in foreign prose,
sharing secrets as she once did
walking home from school –
Argentina and girlhood
a lifetime ago.
Reality: three kids, then grandkids,
a troubled husband, an aging mother,
an Arkansas farm.
Yet every letter promised
that someday she’d return.
Now they are on the tarmac
in Mendoza,
stooped, with the uncertain step of age.
Words catch in their throats
as their hands caress the other’s cheeks,
wipe away the other’s tears,
and their eyes see only
the girls they were –
their secrets safe.
– Sarah Russell
For Poets United prompt “reunions“
Photo by Grace Robertson
Note: In 1993, my husband and I took his mother to Argentina where she had spent her childhood. This was perhaps my favorite memory of our trip.
Sarah Russell Poetry 
Beautiful, Sarah.
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Thank you, Lynn.
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What an amazing moment… that ability to continue a conversation from where it paused years ago is the most beautiful part of enduring friendship…
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Yes, that continuation like someone hit “pause” and then started up again. I cherish those friendships.
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A beautiful portrait of a moment and all it holds, especially the touch. Never give up. Wow.
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The touch is what made me cry. They were so tender with each other, touching as if they couldn’t believe it was happening.
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This is incredibly poignant … and proof that friendship can endure through the years. Beautifully written. Touching.
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Yes. The best friendships do endure. Thanks, Bev.
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Wow, simply stunning, beautiful. Thanks for sharing your poem.
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Thank you, John.
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Beautiful.
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Thanks, Jenn.
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I have friendships like that, where we still see each other as girls. This is such a meaningful and beautiful poem.
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Yes, me too. One woman I’ve known since birth. It’s always special when we get together far too seldom.
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p.s. It makes me think of the movie Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, about two women’s friendship which began when they were girls, learning the women’s language nushu together.
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Oh, I love that embroidery tradition. I haven’t seen the movie. I’ll have to see if it’s available.
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I love it–so poignant and moving. Brought me to tears.
Timmy
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Thanks, Timmy. It was a very special time. Roy’s mom started speaking Spanish with the relatives at 6 in the morning and was still going at midnight. She was like a teenager again.
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Oh Sarah, this is beautiful, I’m totally an old softie at heart, and yes, I cried……..
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Aw, Ivor, that’s high praise. Thanks!
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Wow! Felt like a scene from a movie. Great write. Powerful.
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Yes, it felt that way in real life too. We were witness to something so, so special. Thanks, Jamztoma.
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yes, these kind of friendships transcend time and i love reunions. beautiful words –
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Thanks so much, Beth.
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Oh my–beautiful. It made me tear up a bit.
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Thanks, Merril. That kind of friendship is so special. Yolanda died not too long after our visit. I’m so glad Mom got to see her again.
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I’m glad she did, too!
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A truly amazing moment brought to life
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Thank you. It really was a wonderful experience.
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love the details and the emotions you conveyed here. beautiful.
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Thank you, Rosema!
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always!
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Beautiful. Such a poignant moment, so perfectly captured.
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It made the trip perfect. Thanks, Sandra.
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Very touching.
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Thank you, Rosemary.
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How lovely you could do that for her.
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Thanks, Rall. She had cared for her mom for several years. When she died, Boby was at loose ends, and this seemed like a good way to help her. And it worked.
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Wonderful! And so glad they could see each other again. (K)
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I am too. My mother-in-law doesn’t think I write “real” poetry because my poems don’t rhyme, but she framed this one. Made me smile to see it on her wall.
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What a wonderful poem. And what a moving reunion you depicted! I am glad it all worked out in the end and that you wrote this poem.
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Thanks, Mary. I’m glad I got to write it too. It’s a simple narrative, without much added metaphor and fancy stuff, but it did seem to be a poem rather than a story.
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Sarah, this one is lovely!
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Thanks so much, Al!
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Amazing, touching friendship, more precious because it is real.
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Thank you, Sara.
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Oh, Sarah! How this piece has brought to mind my childhood friend. I haven’t seen her in ages… We speak and write… and one of these days, I hope this will be us. 🙂
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I hope so too, Magaly! Don’t wait until you’re 70 like Roy’s mom had to. It’s so important!
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I shall not! 🙂
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What a moment of togetherness! Beautifully captivated. All reunions should be like this, tender and full of love.
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Yes, indeed they should. There was no holding back — just pure joy. Thanks, Sumana.
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Beautiful penning, Sarah.
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Thanks, Eugenia.
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Re-connecting can sound so majestic, so beautiful. Beautifully penned, Sarah!
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Thanks so much, Panchali.
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What a tender write. Your presentation of friendship is understatedly elegant.
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Thank you so much, Imelda.
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How lovely. Thank You.
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Thank you for stopping by, and for your beautiful pictures of Finland.
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