'hoops' has shared a couple of her poems with me, so I'll return the favor:'Hoops', this is the style in which I write poetry...                                           "Coffee With Friends"I've developed a wonderful habit this last year, of some sort of notable reprise,   To the meeting of some close friends, in the morning, for coffee, and a sunrise. We work together sometimes, side by side, and then at others far apart,   We get together each morning, as prelude to any efforts, before our day's to start. Coffee's ready, by the smell of it, whenever I let myself in, whenever I arrive,     The porch is open, facing east, it's into the bottom of the cup, I then dive. We sit and talk, watching the ranch's wildlife, as it begins to move and stir,  The sky is lit softly, the light brings out images, that earlier seemed just a blur. There is another who often joins this ritual, who just sits quietly there with us,   A female friend of Steve's; she's black; and makes a point to never cause a fuss.  She listens to us men talk, of work, of life, and spiritual ideas we get from books,   She has pearly white teeth, in her broad smile, when we ask for approving looks. I've pat her, discretely in play, on her behind before, she just grins without a frown,   She knows our friendship is based in love, her eyes just glisten their deepest brown. It's at this time that I'm thankful to be with friends, to share this striking scene so bold,    As the sunrise breaks the horizon, the sky explodes, into red, pink, orange, and gold. I give thanks for this treasure, to my friend and his 'girl', though silent, she's no deceiver,     I get pleasure having coffee with Steve, and Tori: his dad's 'Black' Labrador Retreiver.  Hope you enjoy it, Richeart