Friendship Poems
Well, a lot of people write poems for their friends, and, this, of course, is a great thing. If there are qualities you like and admire of someone, by all means, let the person know. One unfortunate aspect of life (of course, this is life through my eyes and from my experience) is that a lot of people seem reluctant to tell a person the positive qualities that they see in the other. As I said, this is just my point of view, but, my experience does confirm this, and, I've thought about it over the years, and I still don't understand it. My approach is tell the person exactly what it is you like about him or her. Granted, this makes many uncomfortable, but, too bad... it's a good approach to follow imho.
I remember when I was in a high school I wrote a poem for a friend of mine. I saw the poem a few years later, and I felt terribly embarrassed. I contend now, though, that to feel embarrassed of such sincere expressions... well, to feel embarrassed is really weakness. Anybody can walk around, pretending to be tough and an island and a rock and a piece of steel and an etcetera, but, that's just not where it's at. I see strength, really, as the ability to make yourself vulnerable. And, when you are sincere and open about your deeper feelings, you do indeed make yourself vulnerable. And, that's exactly what we see in friendship poems, and, that's a big part of why I think they're so wonderful.
So, let's take a look at a couple friendship poems. The first one is quite simple, and, with poetry that's often a good quality (even though I rarely take that route personally.)
There's lots of things
With which I'm blessed,
My problems have been few,
But of all, this one's the best:
To have a friend like you.
In times of trouble
Friends will say,
"Just ask, I'll help you through it."
But you don't wait for me to ask,
You just get up and do it!
And I can think
of nothing more
That I could wisely do,
Than know a friend,
And be a friend,
And have a friend like you.
Unknown
Well, that poem may strike some as a bit sappy, but that's okay. Next time, though, Unknown, sign your real name, because, that's what it's all about. Thank you, still, Mr. or Mrs. or Miss or Ms. Unknown. And, this next friendship poem comes from William Butler Yeats.
Friends
Now must I these three praise
Three women that have wrought
What joy is in my days:
One because no thought,
Nor those unpassing cares,
No, not in these fifteen
Many-times-troubled years,
Could ever come between
Mind and delighted mind;
And one because her hand
Had strength that could unbind
What none can understand,
What none can have and thrive,
Youth's dreamy load, till she
So changed me that I live
Labouring in ecstasy.
And what of her that took
All till my youth was gone
With scarce a pitying look?
How could I praise that one?
When day begins to break
I count my good and bad,
Being wakeful for her sake,
Remembering what she had,
What eagle look still shows,
While up from my heart's root
So great a sweetness flows
I shake from head to foot