making new friends

there

was a time when

salesmen

came to the door

with their wares.

encyclopedias

and vacuum cleaners,

the fuller brush

man

in a suit.

a man with cords

of wood.

magazine sellers.

the Avon lady

with a satchel

of make up.

my mother

would open the door

and let them in.

she'd 

put on a pot of coffee

and listen

politely, though not

a penny to spend.

she was always willing

to make a new

friend.