I entertained today

For the first time since

Our isolation started

A couple came for lunch, old friends

We circled gingerly around one another

Keeping our distance

No hugs, no kisses. We stayed

Outdoors with a breeze sweeping everything away

Watching boats on the lake

Birds swooped past, gulls and eagles and more

I stuffed myself with scallops and tabouli and gazpacho soup

Until my belly sprung.

We recounted our adventures in solitude

Timid trips to the market, to the doctor

How we missed our children.

We have known this couple for 50 years

Maybe

We knew them when our kids were babies

And now we look at photos of grandchildren and birds

Roseate spoonbills they saw in Texas

Back in January

A picture of a wood stork

I took last year. For hours

We discussed the state of the world and

Poetry and woodworking and flowers.

Then they left

And I don’t have to eat dinner tonight

Or say another word.

I am full up.