Vanillanelle

 Each year she wrote me a piece of art;
 A poem as a birthday present.
 How can I capture this friendship in words?
  
 She pairs restraint with an open heart.
 My poems are dull, hers are luminescent.
 Each year she wrote me a piece of art.
  
 I was cruel to her once, words sharp as a dart.
 Compared to her I’m a moral peasant.
 How can I capture this friend in words?
  
 She's humble, wholesome, passionate and smart,
 Her children she's raised to be lively and decent.
 Each year she wrote me a piece of art.
  
 The friendship remains though we live far apart,
 Even throughout my mental descent.
 How can I capture this friendship in words?
  
 Fire nor floods can tear her apart,
 Her quiet strength is always present.
 Each year she wrote me a piece of art.
 How can I capture this friend in words? 

This poem was written for my Excellent Friend. You can read her poem here http://outofthecave.blog/2021/02/10/resilience/ or check out her entire blog if you enjoy poetry.