Nora McClellan

The world painted a dull, drab, Kansas gray
As I waited, just watching it all rush by, stuck
In endless isolation, yearning for companionship, 
Reaching out into the void for connection and returning 
Empty-handed, memories my only form of company…

But now, I have friends, and my life glimmers
With the vivid technicolors of Oz–nourished
By friendships, building a foundation
Underneath my feet to support me–
Home is where the heart is
(And there’s no place like it)
But I can never forget that this could all be
Uprooted, blown away by a cyclone– 

And I’ll live for what I have now: walking
Arm in arm with friends down the road of life
(Yellow-brick or otherwise)
And what you saw was secondary to who was by your side
And taking turns listening to each other rant
And catching up over long talks on the phone
(Not just living for longing…)
And writing people’s birthday cards in green ink
And laughing with each other over embarrassing moments
And helping them see their brains and heart and courage
(As they do for you…)
And singing along from the passenger’s seat
And sending friends what makes you think of them
And speaking inside jokes as a secret language
(So give a toast to James Buchanan…)
And you get them and they get you–

I’ve gone somewhere over the rainbow—I guess
It’s true what they say about kindred spirits!