An Ode to Friendship
With my belief in consequence and choice
I never quite bought into the stories
That people would tell about how things 'just happen'-
And then I made a friend like you
It's then that I finally understood
About connections from Day One
How people could be so in tune
Having barely exchanged two words
Never before had I thought I would say
'I think we're exactly the same'
Never before had I imagined myself
Ever telling anyone what you know
You found me in a deep dark pit
Of loneliness and frustration
And even before we became 'real' friends
You made the choice to care
You wore your heart out on a sleeve
And allowed me to do the same
You took a chance on a worn-out stranger
And showed her how to trust again
All the times I wanted to talk
About it - still some more
Never once did you run out
Of patience for my pain
You cheered me on to clamber up
Onto my own two feet
Held out a hand and helped me out
Then cheered for me again
Not once did you ask the question
Why had I taken so long?
Not once did you point a finger-
You always understood-
'Thank you' will never be enough
For all you've done for me
Not once, nor a million would suffice
To get the depth of this message through
But still, for all it counts
This must be said:
Dear friend,
Thank you.
You might not believe the things I say
When I tell you how incredible you are
But I really pray someday you will
Glimpse what I see every day
Where you see the ugly weeds
Of doubts and fears and questions
There also blooms a lovely garden
Of warmth and strength and potential
The things you sometimes say you wish
Weren't true about you
Are the very things, you should know
That make me cherish you more
In how you sometimes say out things
Lies a rare and open honesty
In how your emotions take hold of you
Is a heartening glimpse of humanity
I'd write it all if only ink could
Convince you of these truths
But we're the same and so I know
Words won't be enough
But that's okay
'Cause we've got time
And we'll find our roads
Side by side
And by the way?
I'm glad we're doing life together
PC: Photo by Harli Marten on Unsplash