Gf: Yuliya: Rendezvous (With Yuliya) Poem by Brian Johnston

It began earlier for you -
Packing our clothes in light we could not share
We began this journey that spans the globe by half,
Great circles that must eventually cross,
Bringing together two disparate arcs.

This is a journey of faith -
Faith in the validity of friendship
(And the hope of something more) ,
Faith in feelings fueled by what we read
In letters where prose stumbles in the dark
And even poetry misses the mark.

(What vision might surprise
if your breath should close my eyes,
What message would you hear
if my lips should brush your ear?)

Was I asleep when you began?
It is likely I will sleep again before you,
My travels ended (you are so young) -
Still I do not envy you your flame.
And yet, what joy to wake and find you with me,
The warmth of your hand
Like a stone thrown in the pond of my being.

Is it an omen that we both began at night
And journey toward this bright day of rendezvous
From different directions?
For now, however, in the darkness of our flight,
We are both held aloft by invisible wings
(As if we rest in God's outstretched hands) .
Let us pray that it is so!