THE COMFORT OF A SMOOTH STONE

 I collected stones
like friends
filled empty shelves with
chunks of mountain granite
their feldspar blushing pink in mica mirrors,
crinoids, trilobites, brachipods
those hard bodies of Ordovician sea stuff,
gaping mouths of geodes flashing sharp crystal teeth,
odd lumps of pock-marked pumice,
a smorgasbord of conglomerate.

 I collect friends
like stones
carefully choosing
the smooth gray oval
one that fits comfortably
in the palm of my hand
for company on an autumn beach walk
only to slip into my pocket
upon turning home.

 Betsy Kudlacz