Some with whom we walk we know -
our familiar companions in life.
Then there are those we do not know
who walk before, behind or even beside us 
whose faces and names only others know.

Who are they who walk with me
but those who share what I think to be
my solitary path - not the same, never the same -
like unto mine, who, if asked,
would nod their heads, knowing?

I can imagine their faces turned to me
with smiles of sadness or simple nods
understanding that we will never meet,
not in this life, these days or hours,
but at a time, God only knows.

I must thank them for being here with me
these fellows whose faces I'll never see.
We have all been given a length of cord
stretching through our labyrinthine ways
that others will take up when we are gone.
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Portland, Oregon - July 12, 2022