Up@dawn 2.0 (blogger)

Delight Springs

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Old Friends

Attended the 70th birthday party of an old friend last night, a native Minnesotan who fittingly read this poem to us in gratitude (which was mutual):


Old Friends

Old friends are a steady spring rain,
or late summer sunshine edging into fall,
or frosted leaves along a snowy path—
a voice for all seasons saying, I know you.
The older I grow, the more I fear I'll lose my old friends,
as if too many years have scrolled by
since the day we sprang forth, seeking each other.
 
Old friend, I knew you before we met.
I saw you at the window of my soul—
I heard you in the steady millstone of my heart
grinding grain for our daily bread.
You are sedimentary, rock-solid cousin earth,
where I stand firmly, astonished by your grace and truth.
And gratitude comes to me and says:
 
"Tell me anything and I will listen.
Ask me anything, and I will answer you."

Old friends really do compensate for most of the added aches and pains, and even the eventual subtraction of old friends.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/151351/old-friends

2 comments:

  1. The blessing of having old friends affects you throughout your entire life. They can shape the way you live during your friendship, and as you grow older. The fear of losing an old friend can shatter your heart because they are so beneficial to our growth. A true friendship can separate for many years and find its way back.

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