diamonds from ash

if you should tell me, traveler,
of places you have seen;
of food and smells, of songs and yells,
of people, nice or mean;
i’ll bend an ear to hear your tales
whatever they may be –
for though i cannot travel far,
you’ve brought your world to me.

if you should disagree with me
or something i have said,
then let us talk of it awhile;
don’t take your bile to bed.
both friends and strangers can sometimes
in disagreement be;
’tis handled best, not with a jest,
but mindful honesty.

if you should speak of need, my friend,
you’ll never be ignored;
whatever ill befalls you, i’ll
give what i can afford.
for we ourselves are travelers,
and on this winding road,
found family is dear to me –
so let me share your load.

i suppose it’s iambic heptameter when read as intended, but honestly when it’s not pentameter i suspect there’s few enough people who care enough to make note of it