over the decades the topics
of concern, during our increasingly
rare get-togethers have evolved
from high school electives
to college applications
to relationship and career choices
to planning for and raising children
to caring for aging parents and in-laws

and we reluctantly accept that
there may have been a small
amount of growth along the way

and then she sends me photos
from yesterday’s climbing lesson

and i notice her chalky handprint
at the center of my back
in every single shot

and i heartily accept
that some things
will never change