True friends are those who remain
when the spirit is so wearied of life
that there is only silence
when there is nothing left to speak
they continue to stare into
the sockets where there
once were eyes
Author notes
I feel like all my poems are 'in the works'. Here I was inspired by the thought of the fact that as many people grow old they discover they only have one true friend who stuck with them through thick and thin, even when they were no longer of use to each other- because friendship is ultimately not about 'being of use to each other' or 'compatable personalities', or 'having common interests' or 'having good conversations', or even growing together, rather but a fierce abiding loyalty that remains when all these things are gone. I was thinking of one of my closest friends when I wrote this poem.
The poem speaks of all that is spoken and communiticated in the silence through the eyes. The whole poem is about the soul...my soul expressing my deepest feelings. And that is only touching the surface. The beauty of the expression of the soul in the poem is that it goes way beyond words, and is expressed in the silence.
It is a poem that strikes most people as odd because of the last line- but it meant 'sockets' in a very literal sense. Some friendships have an eternal bond between their souls- all in the eyes, and even when they both get old, and their eyes get sunken in and their is nothing left by sockets, you still stare into what once were eyes, and the soul shines through just as much..you still know....
Written June 2nd, 2004
In a list
A contest entry
- someone that is special to you by lilb420.
300 points, ended April 17, 2005, 23 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 32 of 32
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this is beutiful
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Wow, excellent write! But? But? What you said in your authors notes is just as important... You couldn't find a way to include it in your poem???? I love the last stanza, I understood it without an explaination... I know lots of people who have been friends for a lifetime. Lifetime friends are really tought to come by... I wouldn't want to lose a lifetime friend. 
Thanks for entering my contest, You did great
I just wanted MORE! (spoiled that way) 
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Hi there- I never wanted to rewrite this poem because it seemed sacred to me, and said what I wanted it to say. However I am going to in the future do a second version of it and include more of the author notes. Thanks for the inspiration. I know this contest is probably anonymous- but you said you wanted more, so I figured I am out of the running for winning, so it didn't matter. I hope you don't mind that I commented back to you and I am very happy you enjoyed my poem!
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creeped out, hehe. No seriously i wanted people to get that reaction, and you got it. Have you ever gone into a nursing home? Now that is creepy. I didn't want to downplay the fear and sense of doom in this poem.
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wow I was in fact rather creeped out by this poem but after I read the poem I got very sad to know that this too will probably be my fate a very interesting poem I consider myself loyal to my friends that are inportant to me and I think that that is very important
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I truly understand if you don't get my poem
It is very personal. I saw it as a tribute to my friend just to enter it, so no worries. It is a poem that strikes most people as odd because of the last line- but it meant 'sockets' in a very literal sense. Some friendships have an eternal bond between their souls- all in the eyes, and even when they both get old, and their eyes get sunken in and their is nothing left by sockets, you still stare into what once were eyes, and the soul shines through just as much..you still know....I hope that clarifies.
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re: comment. Hm. It is all spoken and communiticated in the silence. The whole poem is about the soul...my soul expressing my deepest feelings. And that is only touchinh the surface. The beauty of the expression of the soul in the poem is that it goes way beyond words, and is expressed in the silence.
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I like how you wrote this about your friend, and what you were thinking of them, but what does it have to do with your soul? Not to be a bugger or anything, but I couldn't tie this with you, with what you were really thinking of yourself...could you help me out here?
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Hi I just saw your comment today- totally missed it!! I thought it was beautiful, and totally true.
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good stuff!
There is nothing better than looking into the eyes of someone who really knows who you are, what you're about. True friends are hard to come by. -
good work
I applaude this poem as well as give it the Stephen's Perfectly Written and Expressed Award! Unfortunately there is not trophy, cash prize or even points for that matter
all you really get is my respect as a fellow writer and hopefully the respect of everyone else that reads your work. Good work in writing this short yet good poem!
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very good
"When there is nothing left to speak"
This is a wonderful line. It tells the tale of so many relationships that fail to grow with time. Another excellent poem. I am really enjoying these.
John -
very beautiful i especially enjoyed your authors note....that kind of friendship is to be held on to as tight as you can ...i havent seen my bestfriend in years and havent talked to her in weeks but i know i could pick up the phone and call her right now and our friendship would still be there....makes me miss her tons...very good poem i really liked it
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very nice write...
like the way you it does speak the truth of friendship in many people's eyes...
kudos -
Very Good!
Beeeeautiful! -
This is so very true I think. I have one friend who has (so far) lasted 35 years or so, and I see no reason for that friendship to end anytime soon. We no longer spend much time together, but the loyalty remains.
I love the phrasing of this piece -- it speaks volumes in so little words. -
Thank you for the comment. I am glad you liked my poem.
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You summarized my poem absolutely perfectly- that true friendships is not seen through the eyes, but elsewhere- almost in something that can't be spoken of, or touched. Excellent comment.
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Very enlightening!
Wow, I really like this. At first, I'll admit, I was confused, but then I read the Author's comments and everything was clear. The last two lines stand out to me the most, leaving me with the understanding that friendship is not seen through the eyes but elsewhere (the soul/heart/etc). Thanks for a good read!!!! -
Very elegantly written.
"they continue to stare into
the sockets where there
once were eyes" Clear and concise and yet so profound. The silence is also so 'golden' here (a cliche but all the more meaningful to describe the silence between two friends.). Your comment is true although "'being of use to each other' or 'compatable personalities', or 'having common interests' or 'having good conversations', or even growing together" are part of why the loyalty is there. However, it is not ULTIMATELY about them. How true.
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wow. this is wonderful! slightly creepyish untill you read the comment you left. hehe. i absolutely loved it!! your flow and format were awesome and brought it all together along with your words. it is a sad thing that 'friends' do in reality fade away. If i had a car, or a liscence, i'd go hug my bestfriend again today. ^_^ she'll have to settle for a phone call instead.
-Rachel -
My best friend is in Ala and I am here in WA , we try to call each other faithfully every Friday (her day off) though we know pretty much nothing has changed , it is hearing each others voice knowing that the phone will ring and she will pick up , and on our chatter will be from kids , to the awful customers she deals with at work . This poem is us , often we get quiet , listen to each other favorite new song , or the convo just naturally fades no one gets mad , the flow and ebb of life is felt through our phones , and I felt it here with this poem , I will read it to her come Friday , Be Safe , Catressa
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Every defining friendship is certainly a mark of a poet.
Tecohe -
GREAT!!!
Hey I got your poem it's really awesome keep on writing don't let anyone tell you different!!!
~~NIKKI~~ -
Hi there,
I feel that this was a great and interesting write. it was totally worth the read. I found it awesome. I really liked your rhthm, flow and meter well done and thank you ever so much for sharing. I hope tht you will continue to write and continue to share.
All the best to you and yours
Blue moon -
Wow I am glad you think so. Thanks so much!!! I am applauding this comment not because I am egocentric, but because you conveyed it's effect on you so well, in just the way you used those two words...it speaks volumes. I have a feeling too, that you really 'get' my poem.
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Thank you Olivia. You have a wise father...
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antichrist, I am really glad you like my style of poetry. I am not altogether comfortable with myself as a poet yet, but as I learn, and continue to express I am sure it will come. But again I am glad you really like it, and I look forward to reading yours!!!!
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Thanks for your honest feedback. Walk through a nursing home and maybe you'll understand...that would get my point across on one level....I am not the most skilled poet yet, but I'm not letting that stop me....lol
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one good friend last a life time this poem was very confusing and odd but it was ultimatly very good i liked it even tho it did confuse me
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my mother said you can live a life among many of people, but they are only accuantences. Your only true friend is the one you have gone through everything with.Through the thick and the thin they are there still standing strong beside you.awesome write. You are a great poet, please keep the excellent work up.
thanks for sharing with us
~Rachel~ -
My father said if you have one true friend you have led a good life...
, olivia
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