To a young friend and poet

THE QUIET ONE

The quiet one,
That’s how I remember you.
No muss, no fuss,
no distraction to the rest.

The quiet one.
Not afraid to question,
not afraid to answer,
just waiting to be asked.

O, quiet one
whose noises caused laughter
and stress caused concern.
You took it in stride, you kept it inside.

The quiet one now, is not who I see.
Your voice has been heard,
your actions speak louder
anyone close, couldn’t be any prouder.

Your words, they have taught me,
your words, they have moved me,
your actions are caring and true.
The best thing I’ve learned
in our time through these years,
is KNOWING the quiet one,
that’s you.