My dearest chum, old friend of thirty years
You tease me with your promises now and then
Saying you will call and chat awhile
Or touch bases through your pen.
You haven’t yet, and I wonder
What happened to you, my friend
Are you ill, needy, with a problem too big to bear
A sadness in your heart too heavy to tend?
I wish I knew so I could touch your life
Offer words of comfort if there is pain
Tell you that you are loved every day
And troubles pass like showers of rain.
But without communication between us
I can’t tell you all those friendly thoughts
Because you ignore all my attempts through notes
That a simple reply my effort has not brought.
I’m so sorry to say, you are fading into the distance
Like a cool shadow in the setting sun
Like a long receding highway behind me
A speeding vehicle on the run.
The sweetness of companionable memories
Will soon disappear and go away
Replaced with new interests to fill the void
Different adventures, new experiences, another day.
I wonder if friendship truly still exists
When you speak in words of double-talk?
Do you really believe what you say
When declaring commitments like erasable chalk
Oddly, I’ve always thought friendships
Were equivalent to kinships—bonded tight to last
What is it called when one declares friendship one day
Breaking it tomorrow like a short religious fast?
Seldom in life have I asked commitments from folks,
Expecting commitment to the integrity of what they say.
While being careful not to speak false words
They know they’ll never keep anyway.
You once were needy of my attention and time
Confiding your hurts, pains and fears
I suppose you outgrew the bond we shared
When you learned to overcome your tears…
And no longer needed me to confide your hurts.
I BELIEVE THAT THE BOND OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS...AND EVEN THOUGH ONE 'GROWS' TO THE POINT WHERE THEY DO NOT CONFIDE IN ONE LIKE THEY ONCE DID...DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE RESPECT AND CARING HAS ENDED. YOU WERE ONCE A VERY REALIABLE LEANING POST...NOW, I CRY LESS AND YOU ARE NOT LEANED UPON AS BEFORE...BUT...I STILL LOVE YOU AND TREASURE OUR FRIENDSHIP. A WONDERFUL WORK...ENJOYED. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader)
Reviewed on December 13, 2007
Boy did you say everything I'm feeling right now...certain persons who have claimed we have a special bond...but all is silent although I send note after note to two, in particular. It hurts, but I feel it is best to go on...the pain of feeling, or actually being betrayed is more than I can stand...so, I lay down my hurt and move on. Thank you for sharing this, love holly
"I wonder if friendship truly still exists
When you speak in words of double-talk?
Do you really believe what you say
When declaring commitments like erasable chalk"
This stanza summarizes what I think of friendship, love and relationships that are made of big words, big promises and nothing tangible.
There is sadness in this beautifully written poem, something about friendship that can be felt at every age.
My dear Jeanette,
Thank you for putting into words what so many of us have felt in our own ways, some of us with our failure to maintain and to nurture our friendships and some of us in feeling the loss of a treasured friendship, no matter our efforts.
I share the views of your many reviewers' comments listed below, especially the insight of Kathy Armijo in how some of us treat our friends like we treat our relationship with God.
You have experienced much in life, Jeanette, and have developed a remarkable wisdom. To bring your view so focused and put into words for us is a blessing I hope we all heed.
You have expressed with perfection and beauty the fate of relationships that were lit at the edge of the ocean during low tide...and then washed over by the waves like names written in sand. Still, it is the beauty of friendships and alliances that time weeds out the false and only the true ones grow. Excellent work.
Friends come into our lives for reasons, seasons, or forever! Sometimes knowing that helps when it is only for a brief reason or season.
Peace, Love, and Light,
Amber "V"
Reminds me of how some folks talk with God. They bare their heart when they hurt, but go along their merry way when all is good - never remembering the closeness that was once shared.
When our children are young they share everything. As they Grow, they need us less, but still want some form of contact, even if it's only occasionally.
This friend relied and trusted you with hurts, pains and fears. Perhaps, this person remembers all to well what you know and they're embarassed.
Who knows why relationships/friendships die? Maybe, like life, it's an evolution. I'm glad you could provide that support when it was so needed.
Oh Jeanette, sometimes even long time friendships break apart no matter how hard we try to keep them together. There is no reason or rhyme, sadly it just happens. You have expressed yourself so profoundly and with such a meloncholy longing....
OUCH...the truth does hurt. Not wanting to burden...never knowing that they only want to help you carry. Thank you for the deep enlightenment of friendship.
Dee
Jeanette, it's heart rendering to lose someone we've been close to and shared our hearts with. It's amazing how some friends can just turn their backs like the friendship never existed...they are the loser's. I've got friends that go back since first grade of school and we still keep in touch and their friendships are like little treasures full of love. In my opinion, the best thing we can do in this type situation is to pray their heart will be changed and they'll find out how much they miss their friend. A nice write.
A person can consider themselves very lucky indeed if they have just one friendship that lasts a lifetime. I have been very lucky because I had two. One passed away two years ago, owing me for eight holes of golf, at a buck each. In all the years we played together, we said if either of us got down twenty holes we would pay up. We were so well matched, neither of us ever got down more than ten holes. I miss my friend.
Mark Twain said, "One good friend is worth a thousand relatives."
Great write I have been through this. It is so hard not to help a friend in need if they dont even bother to communicate to you--it is a very painful thing.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on November 16, 2007
Forget the friend. It will hurt, but trying to hang on when you are not wanted hurts much worse . . .
It's always a sad thing when a friendship fades into the past. Though that wayward person may take away the friendship, they can't possibly take away the memories you shared. Excellent similies in this poem! Very creative, adding to the flow of this piece. Loved it~
I met Jerome on a busy city street in Baltimore, Maryland, when he was forty-five years old. On that particular day, I was out and about, enjoying a much-needed day off from work.
I wanted to purchase a sukiyaki sub. I parked my car in an area of
Hundreds of excerpts from the archives of the Narcissistic Abuse Study List regarding Pathological Narcissism, relationships with abusive narcissists, and the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
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When you speak in words of double-talk?
Do you really believe what you say
When declaring commitments like erasable chalk"
This stanza summarizes what I think of friendship, love and relationships that are made of big words, big promises and nothing tangible.
There is sadness in this beautifully written poem, something about friendship that can be felt at every age.
Axilea
Thank you for putting into words what so many of us have felt in our own ways, some of us with our failure to maintain and to nurture our friendships and some of us in feeling the loss of a treasured friendship, no matter our efforts.
I share the views of your many reviewers' comments listed below, especially the insight of Kathy Armijo in how some of us treat our friends like we treat our relationship with God.
You have experienced much in life, Jeanette, and have developed a remarkable wisdom. To bring your view so focused and put into words for us is a blessing I hope we all heed.
With love and admiration,
Richard
Peace, Love, and Light,
Amber "V"
When our children are young they share everything. As they Grow, they need us less, but still want some form of contact, even if it's only occasionally.
This friend relied and trusted you with hurts, pains and fears. Perhaps, this person remembers all to well what you know and they're embarassed.
Who knows why relationships/friendships die? Maybe, like life, it's an evolution. I'm glad you could provide that support when it was so needed.
God bless you. Kathy
Be safe,
Karen
Dee
Mark Twain said, "One good friend is worth a thousand relatives."
Walt
Sheila
Very sadly, I think a part of human nature, for very many, it seems.
This one is POWERFUL. Well done.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(