For 30 Years…
For 30 years I searched
every face in every airport
and train station for yours.
For 30 years I waited
in cafes and corner stores,
on balconies and beaches.
I dipped my eyes into
every city I thought your
heart could be hiding.
I left my open smile in
baskets on doorsteps
in Paris and Dublin.
Sometimes I’d see you
on the other side of the
glass, clearing Customs
or passing my airplane
heading to the North Pole
as yours returned South.
Sometimes you’d be
an ivory silk scarf left
on a park bench.
Or the first tinge
of yellow on the maple
at my attic window.
Others you’d be the
first snow or a strain of
“Angie” on the wind.
But you were always
the lilacs and ladders
leading to spring.
Always the portal
to these moments we
are now reunited in.
Posted for dVerse Poetry Open Link Tuesday.
For a dear dear long-lost teenhood friend I’ve recently been blessed to hear from again via The Net after 30 years!
He saw one of my singing videos on someone’s blog and — voila!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Lilacs and limes painting from a free background site.
On 28 August 2012 at 1:51 pm
Pat Hatt said,
Wow, really never know
Who you will find because of the blog show
Many are new
But then a few
That come back into play
For some long lost day
Isn’t that grand
All because of blogland.
On 28 August 2012 at 2:13 pm
Audrey Howitt said,
Such a wonderful piece Jannie–it just feels light and airy and full of promise–and thank you for the plug!!!
On 28 August 2012 at 2:15 pm
Susan L Daniels said,
Jannie–beautiful poem throughout, but I fell in love with these lines:
But you were always
the lilacs and ladders
leading to spring.
Gorgeous.
On 28 August 2012 at 2:32 pm
Steve E said,
OH HOW MARVELOUS! How SWEET! I got “bumps-of-gooses” on my arms reading this. And it displays how your words elicit emotions seldom discovered–or revealed–in old men.
Jannie, if I read nothing more this evening, I have had my “precious” for the day.
THANK YOU!
PEACE! (and more!)
Steve E
On 28 August 2012 at 2:37 pm
claudia said,
so cool…after 30 years…wo..that’s awesome…hope you have the chance to meet him soon…loved esp…I left my open smile in
baskets on doorsteps
in Paris and Dublin…nice!!!
On 28 August 2012 at 2:45 pm
Steve King said,
What a great story to go along with this fine piece. Congratulations all around.
On 28 August 2012 at 2:50 pm
Linda said,
That is wonderful. The internet does close the gaps of this vast world making it just a little smaller. Lovely poem to commemorate your reconnection.
On 28 August 2012 at 2:51 pm
Di said,
This is perfect… I really loved it!
On 28 August 2012 at 3:02 pm
Daydreamertoo said,
The ‘net’ has its marvels doesn’t it! That’s a wonderful discovery you made and such a delightful read for us Jannie.
On 28 August 2012 at 3:04 pm
Anna Montgomery said,
Oh, Jannie, this is my new favorite of yours, perfect in every way and I feel it will live on in me.
On 28 August 2012 at 3:38 pm
Rosemary Nissen-Wade said,
Oh, it’s so wonderful when that happens! And you have expressed it so beautifully.
On 28 August 2012 at 4:39 pm
ayala said,
wow..so cool after thirty years…just awesome.
xoxo
On 28 August 2012 at 4:45 pm
Jannie said,
Dear Beautiful & Wonderful peeps!!
Thanks so much for your awesomeness — as if y’all have any choice, right??
I’m going to be in a legal meeting for the next few hours, or so. Wish me luck.
And I’ll see you back here later with wine in my hand. Well, wine in a cup in my hand, that is.
Which reminds me, “I saw her today at the reception…”
oxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 28 August 2012 at 5:09 pm
Colleen@LooseLeafNotes said,
I got a chill. I used to do that too. The lilacs, ladders and silk scarves are like signposts. This way to the soul and what the soul loves!
On 28 August 2012 at 5:35 pm
Bauke Kamstra (@wyrde) said,
With you, as I read this poem, I know how this connection is missed, as moments in time diverge, and the variants in which you meet are only sensed beyond the curtain of physics & mysticism. Lovely.
On 28 August 2012 at 6:40 pm
Daisy said,
I love the poem, Jannie. 30 years–wow! How wonderful to reconnect with your friend after such a long time. I hope your legal meeting went well. Hugs to you dear Jannie.
On 28 August 2012 at 7:04 pm
Poet Laundry said,
Searching and finding…a great feeling! A beautiful piece, love how you have woven it all together!
On 28 August 2012 at 8:52 pm
brian miller said,
ha that is so cool you reconnected…and that they found you by a comment….thirty years too…wow…crazy….
On 28 August 2012 at 9:14 pm
Teresa said,
What a wonderful story! It is nice how the Internet can bring people back together, and I love this beautiful poem you’ve written for the occasion.
On 28 August 2012 at 9:52 pm
mrs mediocrity said,
Oh, what a lovely poem, made even better by the reality of its experience. I love the way you wove the images throughout, especially that scarf.
On 28 August 2012 at 10:37 pm
gdk3 said,
JANNIE MUST HAVE HAD BLUE BUNNY’S ADVICE ON THIS ONE. MAYBE BLUE BUNNY WENT AND TALKED TO HIM IN HIS TRANS WARP DRIVE MACHINE. ONE OF THE BEST POEMS A PERSON CAN HEAR AND THE STORY BEHIND IT. i KNOW YOU’RE BOTH HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND SOMEONE SO DEAR SO LONG AGO WHO STILL CARES. LIFE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!! oooxxxoooxx
On 28 August 2012 at 10:59 pm
Jannie said,
Jannie (that’s me, of course) did kick butt on a legal matter this evening.
And she is now about to mosey off to sleepy land.
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow after I’ve gotten 10 (Yes, TEN) new eBay auctions up.
whoohooooooooooooooooo.
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 28 August 2012 at 11:50 pm
kaykuala said,
How nice,Jannie! 30 yrs is pretty long! Your verse says it all. You must have been utterly surprised and overwhelmed by your discovery. Gosh, lots of catching up to do. I like it very much when I get to see this kind of story. It just shows friendship is perpetually permanent. Wonderful write Ma’am!
Hank
On 29 August 2012 at 12:17 am
Sara V said,
Jannie, what an absolutely wonderful poem! I love this. And I can relate, found a friend I’d lost touch with on FB–so fun. Such delightful images and word choices–love it!
On 29 August 2012 at 12:32 am
SnaggleTooth said,
I miss my teen time pals also- I’ve also recently found some again online- thanks to my daughters being on facebook. Wish I had time for real visits tho- Online seems to be the only connections I can have these days- I believe the oldest the friends are the best, n you can often pick up right where you left off because you have old home in common.
Cool that your video was out there n flagged him down! Well you are getting famous for the poetry too! I like your piece btw- have longed after folks just like that- but wrote a really sad song about it-
On 29 August 2012 at 1:04 am
Fred said,
beautifully penned. An excellent piece Jannie, would love to hear it in a song, perhaps using the second last stanza as a chorus. Perhaps it’s that I know you write and sing, but this really, in addition to it’s poetic quality, I found myself feeling a song-like vibe here
On 29 August 2012 at 4:31 am
Kathy said,
Lilacs and ladder..and the baskets added to this lovely poem about lifelong friends…
On 29 August 2012 at 5:11 am
Lynn said,
Ah – that’s lovely.
On 29 August 2012 at 5:45 am
G B Miller said,
Kewl beans indeed. To reestablish that kind of connection is definitely something to be cherished.
Good way to start off a week too.
On 29 August 2012 at 6:32 am
Mary said,
I really enjoyed reading your poem of your long search….30 years, wow! And to think that after this time you are back in touch again. What a beautiful story. What a beautiful poem!
On 29 August 2012 at 11:55 am
Hilary said,
Hi Jannie – love the picture accompanying this post – isn’t that just amazing .. that connection after all these years … and I love the verse describing that meeting up again … wonderful ..
Big hugs – cheers Hilary xoxoxoxoxo
On 29 August 2012 at 1:30 pm
Jannie said,
Ahhhh, I’ve gone as far on eBay as I want to for a little while.
Time for a happy change of pace. All eBaying and no blogging doth for a dull Jannie make?
Okay, I’ve been e-mailing and playing guitar a bit too today! whoohooo.
And one day PAT, an “old” friend — you’ll be all that. Tho now in the scheme a “newbie” you seem….. when we are quite grey we’ll be bloggin’ away!!
Dearest AUDREY, light and airy and full or promise sounds good to me!
Like a perfect dessert that never ends, and brings only wonderful things.
Dearest SUSAN, and guess what?? there’s a back story behind those lines. There was (still is) a lilac tree under my old bedroom window at Mom & Dad’s. And I used to sneak down a ladder my friends would put up on nights on nights w’ed prearranged our tomfoolery. We’d go party in a bus my older brother and his friend were then living in, in the woods about a block away.
Oh gosh. Good times, good times!!! :0
STEVE E.
But you’re just a young ‘un! Ahhhh, your precious. 
And you don’t look a thing like Gollum!!! 
Of course not, you are the Shire true and stalwart type. Anyway, thank you. All is good.
CLAUDIA of the new fabulous gravatar. I was only in Paris for 2 days and 1 night and in Dublin for 3 hours but both touched me deeply forever. I love when the Universe lines up cool cites for me to partake of.
Yes, my little orphan smiles surrendered to places I’m sure that went on to richochet outwards forever.
Thank you STEVE. And some stories are serials of fun and joy with never-ending chapters to yet unfold. Well, life is all that!
Yeah, LINDA — it’s pretty cool this Internet thang. A couple times recently I’ve said to myself “I wish they’d stopped technology at trains and radio.” But then….. my dear I would not have these connections with him and you all. There is good in everything if you seek it and be it.
DI!! Where’d your blog link go?? I thought there had been one. Well, I’ve hopefully got your correct e-mail on that. Di, Di, mysteious Lady Di. Which reminds me there is a Diana at a local post office, about my age, I’ve known about since I’ve been here. I’m still mailin’ and she’s probably one day gonna get that pension she deserves. Are you she? Out in Lakeway, TX??
Ahhh, DAYDREAMER… discovery and delightful go so nicely together in a sentence. Add in DEAR and you got a nice triple play on this. Is that a trifecta? What IS a trifecta, anyway. I DO know what a tryptch is!! wow, and I can even spell it!
ANNA MONTGOMERY!! You just look too awesome in your gravatar. Stop being so bright and beautiful, eh? You’re showing me up here, especially since I need to blonde up my roots (again.)
And you know what — these images that rose up to write themselves in like, 2 minutes flat, will live on in ME too, like all the best things do.
Alrighty then, that’s 10 of you.
Gotta go.
xoxooxoxoxooxoxoxoxoo
On 29 August 2012 at 2:26 pm
Glenn Buttkus said,
This one really pokes the chest with nostalgia, only tinged with mirth. I, too, had old friends from 30-40 years ago appear on FB and now we have re-connected. Ain’t the Net beautiful? Makes you want to smooch a blue bunny.
On 29 August 2012 at 5:01 pm
Shadiatique said,
Hi Jannie
I love this…
I’m in love with these words. It describes me and my life
Thanks for sharing.
S.
On 30 August 2012 at 11:54 am
Jannie said,
Well, hello. Do you realize how Wonderful this day is?!
And how awesome you are??
And the moon, Mom thinks is a Blue Moon, will work its magic tonight.
DEAREST ROSEMARY, thank you! Beautifully is a beautiful word.
DEAREST AYALA, yes indeed. 30 years, and just getting started.
JANNIE!!!! (I am awesome too!!)
DEAREST COLLEEN?? You mean search airport faces? I did a lot of that in Montreal. of course, I was always keeping an eye out for L.Cohen there too.
Your comment is just as beautiful as the images that came to me for this poem, thanks!!
DEAREST BAUKE KAMSTRA @wyrde “beyond the curtain of physics and mysticism” I’m a fan of all 3, especially red velvet, orbits and the John Lennon kind, respectively. And of course, “all the science I don’t understand that’s just my job 5 days a week.”
But I DO understand that love is always reigning.
I must skip away now. It’s almost 10:00 in CA!!
I have 7 auctions to start. (7 of the 10 awaiting.)
And it’s all good.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 30 August 2012 at 1:50 pm
Sara said,
Like others said it is amazing to find someone after 30 years and to have the person find you via your own music. What a nice story for a rainy day. It’s raining here, my dear:~)
The sensory detail and visual imagery you put in your poems makes them walk and talk when I read them. I know you get tired of people, like me, pulling out your own verses and leaving them in the comment box…BUT I can’t resist. These stanza just won my heart:
I dipped my eyes into
every city I thought your
heart could be hiding.
I left my open smile in
baskets on doorsteps
in Paris and Dublin.
If only I could write like this….You amaze me and congrats on finding your friend.
I’m also pleased that eBay is giving you so much pleasure and hopefully, lots of cash. You could start a business where you’d sell things for other people in your town. Instead of garage sales, people would take picture of their items and for a hefty percentage, you would auction them off. Auctions could be announced ahead of time on FB. It would even save on gas!
On 30 August 2012 at 11:27 pm
Jannie said,
Again, YOU are awesome.
I probably should mosey on to sleep now as I listen to some of my songbitz on my iPhone via Kelly’s earbuds.
xxoo
On 31 August 2012 at 10:04 am
Alice Audrey said,
Aw. Sweet.
Did you have a good visit?
On 31 August 2012 at 11:17 pm
Jannie said,
DAISY!! I’m here. I’m here. And you are still abloom, as always. 30 years, yeah. I guess the last time we laid eyes on each other was on some sad day in autumn, 1981. But one with hope, of course. And you can’t have TOO many friends!
POET LAUNDRY, I am wondering if you got all your words washed and hung on the line? Or maybe you tumble your images and feelings in the big dryer of poetic comingling?
Anyway, I look forward to checking out your blog again!! Well, I guess this one wove me. 
Glad you’re now part of the weft and the woof of the blogging world.
BRIAN, well, to a young one like you, 30 years must seem like I’m 99 years old.
But just a blip really on the cosmic scheme of luuuuuv. 
I am smiling for what the next 30 years hold. I’ll be 78 years old at the end of that second trimester of my life. And 108 at the 3rd! 
Teresa-Bo-Besa up there in the land where autumn must now be soothing your scorched brow.
Or at least rosining up its bow… thank you!!
Thank you Dearest KELLY (non-mediocre) The scarf came from a movie image a friend recently recounted to me. Not sure if in the movie it was ivory or even silk, but what the heck — I gave those 2 a whirl.
Seems to work, eh? 
Could also have been Scottish wool plaid, or chesnut bass brown cashmere. I look forward to watching the movie again.
GDK3 I FEEL LIKE ALL-CAPPSING YOU TOOOO!!! Then sitting in a hunterforest green VW Beetle after midnight listening to the radio that played without ever needing a key, and spliting 6 Alpine beers.
No cigarettes, tho. Yuck! 
Now, what were you saying?? Blue Bunny and his Flux Capacitor Delorean, yes… Dear then, dear now and life is indeed hyper happy-happy joy-joy awesome with friends like you in it.
JANNIE!!!! You made it back from the eBay and songwriting shores, whooohoooooo!!
Dearest “Young” Hank…
I actually don’t even know what your “human” age is. Back when I was 16, 17 yes 30 years ahead seemed like forever. Now forever’s only just getting started, as it always is. Still, it is a miracle and blessing to reconnect with old friends we not only immediately pick up again with, but recapture the moments of fun and comradeship as tho we’d never been apart. Some sparks are always there — those we love and enjoy the company of, we always will, I guess. 
the soul never ages. And Hank, let’s all do a special blogging party 30 years from now, okay? That will be what year? 2042, right! Save the date!! 
That’s really nice, Sara V!! how long since you’d been in contact with your friend? It is so cool these connections. Thank you so much for popping in again. My blog-home is so happy to welcome you to the party that often cooks around here, now that I have to actually “work” I spend less hours on blogging than I once did, but I do get over and read all you guys’ blogs eventually, oh yeah! I loves me a good poetry hit on a regular basis!! :0
SNAGGLE!!!!! Seems like forever getting back to you, and the gang, but here I am!!! Friday night. Kelly actually WENT TO BED BY HERSELF!!!!!! First week of school done did her in, I think!
We had fun tonight, lots of jokes, and a mini water-pistol fight between her and her dad. Went in to get her to brush her teeth and her room was in total darkness — she crashed out. That was at 10:10. Anyway, yes your teen gang, did you basically grow up with them from an earlier age too? yes, and it’s nice to be able to keep the friendship flowing with new ideas and new fun! Life is really funny. I really never thought I’d ever hear from this friend again. Sure glad I did! famous for my poetry too? I have no idea. I don’t even check my blog stats anymore to see how many people are regular readers here. And not even for those “Funny Searches.” Got to be too much info to wade through. I’d LOVE to hear your song. Do you have a recording of it anywhere?
Well, friends this has bee FUN. I really MEAN it!!! But other ethers are pulling me to new adventures, so I’ll see y’all back here in a new layer of time.
xoxooxoxoxoxo to the many more-th.
On 1 September 2012 at 1:36 pm
Jannie said,
It is 1:22 p.m. according to a thing called a clock.
FRED!! Coolness on the song. Now what did I write up there? Hold on… Very good observation!! Perhaps I shall incorporate lilacs and ladders leading to spring into another tune I am changing up the lyric on. THANK YOU!!!!! Actually, I did in fact have a line about “the lilac moon” in said tune, so maybe my soul will revisit it!!
KATHY!! Gotta love those earthly things that can take on a life of their own, according to our experiences with them. we don’t get lilacs here, boo hoo. Too hot of a climate. BUT… we DO have wild honeysuckle, many jasmines and now and then some “hyacinth wild on [our] shoulder…” (the latter forced from bulbs, usually just after Christmas.) Oh, and there is a bed of paperwhites along the river that comes back EVERY year!!
LYNN, LYNN, LYNN who is making the mountains sing this weekend. Thank you, my dear.
G B Miller, this life is full of mysteriously wonderful things indeed!!! hope your week ended as great as it started? Some excellent RNC speeches and vibes this week. You catch any? Very hopeful things are turning around again.
MARY, MARY, MARY!!! Thank you so much. 30 years — who knew? And who knows what the future holds, as Frank sang to Jimmy Van Heusen’s beautiful genius… “Only a fool would say…”
DEAREST HILARY — BB has that beer out there for YOU!!! He wants you to try some of our local Eastern Canadian lager!! These days Heineken is my usual, but there is none can compare to the local honey and wheat and je-ne-sais-quoi of Alpine! I shall imbibe a bit again next summer.
And Jannie is now going to fetch a bag of Cheetos, crunchy.
xooxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 2 September 2012 at 4:25 pm
Liara Covert said,
Every moment is perfect. Every encounter has perrfect timing, coming and going like footprints in the sand. You always get what you need even if its not what mind thinks it wants. Maple syrup runs through it all and makes it taste delicious.
On 2 September 2012 at 5:18 pm
Jannie said,
Dear Glenn Buttkus, was there mirth in this?? I shall re-read, then return. Uh, mirth is always present, I guess! Have fun on FB. And everywhere.
WOW, Dear Shadiatique, I am glad this string of letters into these words spoke to your life too. Do you have lilacs over there?
Dear Sara, please send rain. And November. Just kidding on the Nov. I must be happy in all kinds of weather.
Tho that IS one of my favorite-est months here. Actually, my fave months are Nov. to May. The song of life continues to sing, yes. And will forever, so the smart ones know. And Sara-Bo-Bara of current kitchen remodeling love and fame, I have missed you Sooooooooooo much here. But I forgive you for having a “Real Life” too. Something is always missing in my comments until you pop in. Forgot to mention in this poem that I also left my breath prints on a train window in the foothills of Les Alpes. And what’s neat is my friend took up guitar too since I’ve seen him. Is he handsome? Is he “strong? Does know the words to every song?” Again with the L.Cohen today. 
Anyway, Miss Man Room Gal… hope the 80s kitchen is getting spiffed?? 
Yeah, on the eBay. I did recently get a 50% split with one of Jim’s friends on an 1972 Polaroid Land Camera and a semi-antique Yashika-A! After the 20% eBay fees. And I have a John Singer Sargent book to wrap and mail, whooo-hoooo!!! I might pull out the gold foil for that one. I like the saving on gas idea!!! So glad I have a printer now, as of 2 days ago. Oh and Sara — you move to Austin? You and I going into eBay together! One more thing… you are awesome!!!!
Alrighty, and the party is finally getting started, also because Liara graces us with her presence. She’s in the ivory gold & satin gown and updo over by the mantel with a glass of Chai tea in her hand. I very much enjoyed the maple syrup on my pancake this morning, as did the 3 friends who giggled much of the night away.
And Alice Audrey revs up the evening with her elegant entrance in red and black leather.
All visits of the heart are good, yes. And all good stuff only just beginning all the time.
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox
On 3 September 2012 at 9:37 am
Chris Edgar said,
Ooh, can I be a strain of “It’s Only Rock N’ Roll” on the wind? But I was totally touched by this, Janster!
On 3 September 2012 at 10:25 am
Jannie said,
And there comes the lovely, the talented. I mean the handsome and talented Chris with some sprigs of laughter, a Moog keyboard and humus dip from heaven… “I like it like it, yes I do!” I believe the refrain you speak of goes in part.
Totally touched back at ya!
xooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
On 5 September 2012 at 2:43 pm
LL Cool Joe said,
30 years is a long long time! Lovely words!
On 10 September 2012 at 9:36 am
Jannie said,
Thanks, JOE!
xoxoxo
On 26 September 2012 at 2:19 pm
Alice Audrey said,
Leather? Tsk. Velvet! As in Goth-chick velvet.