Touchstones

My morning walk was rainy;

My feet were soaking wet.

Though I had an umbrella,

Every puddle was a threat.

 

My mask fogged up my glasses

And the sky was pre-dawn dark.

There weren’t many people out

On paths inside the park.

 

Yet even dressed in rain gear

With my hat pulled down real low,

My sunrise buddies spotted me

And called out a hello.

 

I recognized them both as well

By looks and also gait,

Our morning shout-outs the reminders

Of a former state

 

When strangers were compadres

In the urban life I knew,

Reduced now to my touchstones,

Our good mornings right on cue.