When Your Friend Asks What She Can Bring to the Party

This May my youngest child graduated from high school, then boarded a plane for Sweden a few days later. To say it was a sacred swirl is an understatement.

In the midst of the swirl, I wanted to give him a graduation party. But it was one thing after another, with my days occupied with work, hosting family in town for the graduation, and getting him ready to live abroad.

So his party was an impromptu, on the day affair - inviting friends and neighbors to come by the house after his graduation ceremony. I scurried to assemble some snacks to offer, which is where the watermelon came in. I'll let the poem tell the rest of the story, for it's both real, and true.

When Your Friend Asks What She Can Bring to the Party

for Taryn

Walking your dog, thinking
about what to serve at your son's
impromptu party, a thought arises –
watermelon. Immediately you know
it's perfect, even though you're scrambled
by your last minute plans, doubtful
you'll have the time. But then your friend
calls, asking what she can bring. Can
you swing by the store and pick up
a watermelon? Her reply makes you
smile – “I'm at a watermelon farm.
I'll bring two.” Your flesh tingles
at the synchronicity of watermelon
rising in your mind, and your friend,
walking the rows of melon vines.

Perhaps this is how to live
like the lilies of the field and the birds
of the air – trusting the web weaving
you together. Did the wish for a melon
come from you, or from your friend?
Did it travel across the interstate miles,
from her car to your door? Or did it arise
from the field itself, her sun warmed
round melons, juice pooling inside
their soft bodies – longing to be cracked
open by your sharp knife, their tender
flesh sweet in your mouth.