For My Sunshine Friend (A Poem for Sheryl)

Today I wish you sunshine
The kind of day that hugs you
With its warmth
Inviting you to stay
   to rest
   to ponder
   to watch
For things you've never seen before

The kind of day
Whose breezes
Bring comfort and delight
Carrying the waves, the clouds
Colorful kites
And your cares
Far away
So far away

The kind of day wherein
Birds soar high above
Then park themselves
Before you
Giving you a front-row seat
To their busy play
And joy-filled chatter

The kind of day
That lingers long
After night has come
And the favored season passes
Because it reached
Deep inside you
With its bright
Generous light

So when the storms come
And the winds
Turn bitter cold
Something
Somewhere
In your soul
Is still warm
And knows love

Today I wish you
Warm, inviting, exploring
Comforting, delightful, playful
Outreaching, generous, bright
Loving
Sunshine
Like the kind of friend you are
To me.

Diane Mann, 2014