I once had a friend
who was close as family
to whom I could connect
and wished to understand.
Friend, cool/warm/chatty
friend whose passing
(only a kind of death)
leaves a very sore space.
Warm/cool tears collect
from hot/frozen gathering threat
when all was warm toast and
comfy friendship.
I felt synaptic connection
but my impulses told me lies
and forced me to
cast off the comfort blanket.
So I sit and look at quiet embers
and 'forget party memories'
and know not one balloon
or streamer could cheer me now.
I take to my boat.
A friend is an island
where peace and care
have space to grow
but the land will be annexed.
My island is annexed, overrun
and harshly ruled
and it's hills and vales
are defended almost to death.
I can no longer moor alongside
the peaceful inlets and so I must
with such regret chart a course to find
another island that speaks my tongue.
I am all at sea and hope for land.
Author notes
This is by way of a reply and is a tradgedy of mixed metaphors. But I'm only human.
Written April 20th, 2006
What did you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Keep Rowing
There is an island off the east coat of Africa where they grow the most delicious lollipops. They are mult-lingual and I know a very safe harbour. If you can still row I'll give you directions....if and when you want.
Loved the poem....soft and tough.....smack you between the eyes good.
XXG
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When do we leave? xx
Soft and tough, yes, that's me..... thank you darling.XXD -
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Passport, skin, toothbrush, hair. Yes that's everything. Oh forgot.....mossy net for the mossy magnet. Tick the check list and come.
XG
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Great!
I like it...vivid (yes, I use that word often lol), and full of imagination and wonderful use of some good writing mechanics
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This friend ship almost sank me. I am only now, three years hence, bobbing around in the briney with the rubber ring flung by friends, having been caught. Almost ashore... Dry land would be so very good.
Thanks for finding this. .
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wow very nice and full of emotion. this piece brought tears to my eyes very nice i love it keep it up....
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This is a great poem!
Upon the sea, you may see me, if you look up...in the
rays of the moon...there I be...whispering...why are
you so sad? moonbeams of friendship we send to your
doors.
ears/Seattle sis
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true to life
This is the kind of experience by which people become "sadder but wiser". I know that when some people go it is (only a kind of death) - but the grief may be deeper for it.
The second part of the poem is more clearly unified in the metaphor of boats and islands. I reflect that the islands are boats as well.
I enjoyed reading, thank you for your insights.
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Islands are boats as well?? I cannot accept that level of hope for a relationship over which I no longer have control... Not that I ever had control, but once, I had a relationship. xx
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I wish friendship was always easy and bi-lateral. Unfortunately there's so much that goes into it, and also so many different kinds of friendship, so it muddies the waters.
The title's an interesting play on the word and I'm sorry that you've been cast adrift, so to speak (to continue your extended metaphor.) I hope the land has become near since this was written.
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nom de guerre
The land is a wee speck on the horizon now. Bit if I ever manage with kind winds to head that way again I will take all the chances I passed over before, Thank you for such a wonderful comment. xx
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a friend is an island
where peace and care
have space to grow
I need a one way ticket! -
Vic - this is a friendship controlled by another. It's a fab comfy friendship but it's deemed to be wrong by the 'judge'.
Edited on Apr 24 because 'quiet life and all that...'. -
Good poem. I might change the title and drop the word 'too' as it asks more questions than it answers. For the rest, I'm a little confused as to whether this is about a friend who tries to control the friendship too much so that you have to leave or a friendship controlled by outside agencies.In that case, why do you want to leave? Nut then, you always seem to get into complexity. vic
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I love it when you call me that!!! (too cheeky of course). You are strong stemmed too you know....... xx mother of all flowers
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I liked these lines, motherofallflowers!
A friend is an island
where peace and care
have space to grow
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Thank you darlin - been a demanding week in lots of ways - will IM later when shcool run and tesco is accomplished...! xx
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Loss.
Very eloquent but so sad as the death of a friendship or what was perceived as one is a very harsh loss.The imagery speaks of a boat alone in un chartered waters.There was a map,a set of directions and the wind looked fair but a storm threw it off course and the Captain has to make a decision.Maybe there was foul play or deception.
An insightful but poignant write and a philosophical warning unfortunately.
Excellent piece,Debs but I feel your pain..Elizabeth.
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