Something Like 50 Miles

When out sometimes
I am more at home
than in the room I live in
Among friends
Like souls not met yet
last night such a night

as I work
wend my way into this
housing complex
John's house
old favorite shoes

familar, comfortable
far in the past until now
more a memory than
now we are drifting so far
it takes work, works of kindness
shower down on me

he is so kind to some
tempered steel to others
a true man's man
if that means anything anymore
solid as a framed photo of Teddy Roosevelt
dear friend and artist
and armed defender of the Law

but still
this loving spot is
so far from all the others
Like-minded
who like my mind
still and moving
Who understand being
awake at 3 in the morning