on the street

when you see
an old
friend
on the street
you both stop
and greet one another
then begin
the usual set
of questions about
what happened
to so and so.
where's he or
she now. but more
and more
the answers are
no so good,
the illnesses,
the divorces,
the lost jobs,
and wanderings
of so many.
and then you shake
hands, and say
well, you look
good, nice to see
you again, then
go on your way
feeling better
somehow about your
own life.