Back When We Worked

Artist: Jean Hammer

We used to work downtown
Where we’d also play
Running to meetings and lattes and such
Unknowingly growing friendship
Out of hallway time and talk
Or so we thought so little in common
 

Each passing year the common
Space we shared downtown
Thinking through topics of talk
And projects at play
Didn’t see the semblance of friendship
Ghosting us back to our desks as such

Going about our business with such
Diligent and proud practices in common
Not noticing each passing moment friendship
Wedging its way quietly into our spaces downtown
It snuck in through the cracks, the play
Time came as it did through our talk

Our loves, our homes, our night before talk
Is what we shared little by little such
Were the ways we came to know each other play
Among our shared selves so common
In task, pursuit of goals downtown
Is where we cultivated best friendship

Maneuvering the ins and outs friendship
Brings to selves and souls though talk
Not always well timed and placed downtown
Still found ways to meld such
Moments that soon in common
Just a look and tilt of head united, did play

On our days, drum forward happiness to play
The strings that eventually tied the friendship
Into bundles of much needed joy and common
Gratitude that if felt would take our breath away when talk
Was all we had time for, such
Lifelong soulmates found downtown