.
We met when we were seven and eight,
by the wisteria arbor in my backyard.
She was new, from the house next door,
and peeked shyly through the fragrant vines,
smiling in sunshine and shadow
as we watched bare toes dig nervously
in the warm earth.
We swapped names and giggled
when we found out that our birthdays
were exactly one year and two days apart.
We both loved unicorns and dancing in the moonlight;
I liked to paint beautiful pictures
and she loved to sing.
Friendship sprouted from seeds planted in toe dug holes;
entwined us more tightly than the sweet wisteria vines.
We took hard root and grew tall reaching for the moon,
fought dragons from the backs of silver unicorns,
swapped dreams,
told secrets we shared with no one else.
I would be a great artist and she a famous singer;
no matter how bright our stars, we promised friendship
forever and ever with pinkie swears and girlish hugs.
My friend went away when we were sixteen and seventeen,
and for a long while we swapped weekly detailed tomes
of college life and boyfriends,
that dwindled to hastily written letters
dashed off during odd moons
as hectic lives and new friends took hold.
Busy jobs, marriages, and children
soon crowded our days,
so when the moons turned blue,
I did too, but life and time
have a way of pruning back regrets
for the good of even the most bittersweet vine.
One day when we were forty-one and two,
she sent me a letter recalling memories
of best friends, grand dreams, and childhood secrets.
She wrote about an unusual little silver unicorn
that she had found in a dusty old shop
and how the smell of wisteria always made her smile.
She still loved to dance in the moonlight
and sing away the shadows
and that the blue of the sea
in the painting I sent her last Christmas
was so beautiful that it made her cry
and how sometimes dragons
just get too big to fight;
and forty-one would never see forty-two.
This morning, two days after I turned forty-three,
I planted wisteria by the fence in my backyard,
and smiled at their heady perfume.
I dug bare toes deep into the warm earth,
and at last, found my tears, letting grief spill over
a little silver unicorn
cradled in the palm of my hand.
.
MKL
Author notes
For my beloved childhood friend, CherylAnn. 1959-2001
I miss her deeply...
Written July 29th, 2004
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1 - 24 of 24
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This poem was ever so beautiful, touching and sad. I thought the start, how you set the scene was wonderful. This was a beautiful tribute to a friend, and I'm sure she'd be touched by it.
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Heart-breaking beauty!
Oh Melinda,
this is so exquisitely and painfully beautiful! 
You have painted your friend and friendship perfectly... It is a rare and special thing for a poem to make me cry.
I applaud you through tears!
~ G
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Hello! I saw a link to your poem on a contest I was checking out; This write is amazing..I was hesitant to read it at first, because it was a bit long, but once I started, it was very difficult to not get pulled into the piece. I especially liked the description in this--the detail of everything really helps the imagery. Great work
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awww so sad, this is a great tribute and excellent write...i am very touched by your words, great job! Thanks for entering my contest and good luck to you
take care
-Darkness- -
What a lovely comment, forgotten dream! Thank you so much for that and for your good wishes-- I appreciate them even more than I can say!
Regards,
Melinda
Edited on Oct 11, 7:02 p.m. because ''. -
wow, this is an amazing write. an incredible tribute to a truly special friend and person in your life. your words were just beautiful. there is something truly extraordinary about friendships, and the love and bond that is formed. i felt the emotion in this piece (i cried too) for losing someone you care about is never easy. amazing job, and best of luck in the contest <33
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Freda, thank you so much for your kind words-- coming from you, it leaves me deeply honored!
Regards,
Melinda -
a beautiful wwrite and tribute to a special friend...best of luck freda
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Kyla, thank you so much for your kind words regarding this poem! I miss my dear friend with all my heart. You're right, we would do anything for each other!
Thank you for the wonderful 'huggles'... I really needed them right about now!
Sincerely,
Melinda -
My deepest sympathies. Empathies too. huggles tight Although the times got hectic and it seemed as though you kept in touch less and less, you had that special something. A special something that only few find. A true friend, whom even after years of not talking would think of you to be the first one to run to when something was wrong.
I can tell, each of you was always in the other's heart. Such love is so beautiful. A true piece of art.
Thanks for entering and good luck. Take care.
<33 Kyla -
~smile~
Thanks, Shannon! I appreciate that!
Regards,
Serenem -
awesome
Aww. This was really sweet. I liked the way you explained things to give the reader a mental picture.
-Shannon- -
surfermike, thank you so much for these thoughtful words, you're very kind.
Regards,
Serenem
Edited on Aug 23, 4:45 p.m. because ''. -
Willow, thank you for your kind words on this poem! I love lilacs, too! We had a couple of big bushes in our yard as a child. They had the most heavenly scent!
Regards,
Serenem -
smiles . . never truly gone while in memory and heart
smile at its beauty
well done . .
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As Tina said, this brought tears to my eyes. To eulogize your friend in this manner is absolutely beautiful. For me it's lilac bushes for me. They always make me smile and remember my grandmother. Very well done and good luck in the contest.
~Willow~ -
Mary,
Thank you so much; I'm thrilled that you like it. This poem means a lot to me. I miss my friend...
Serenem
Edited on Aug 23, 4:46 p.m. because ''. -
OH wow is all i can say for this one i love it.
thanks for entering.
god bless
mary -
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Hello, zt!
Thank you so much for stopping by to read this-- Yes, it is a prose (or narrative)poem, which is just another form of poetry. It's meant to tell a story, as many poems do.
I am glad that you liked it!
Regards,
Serenem
Edited on Jul 29, 6:04 p.m. because 'typo'. -
Tina, how kind you are! To have something I've written touch someone in this way, brings tears to *my* eyes. As with Mari, I have come to admire your beautiful poetry and am humbled by your gracious comments on this. You're glad??? Whoa, I'm the one who is GLAD! That was such fun and I enjoyed every moment of that timed contest! Thank YOU.
~smile~
Serenem -
This was more prose than poetry, but such a powerful piece. It certainly made me forget to breathe. It was reminiscent of the song "Sally's Pigeons" by Cyndi Lauper & Mary Chapin Carpenter. Beautifully done! You must fight the dragons when they challenge. Sometimes the knight wins...sometimes the dragon, but eventually it will be slain. Not that this is much consolation to the knights that failed...
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Mari, thank you so much! As you might guess, this poem means a lot to me... to have you write what you have, makes it even more precious.
Always,
Serenem -
:'( This broke my heart. The memories you held with this very special person in your life will be part of you forever. The ending really hit a nerve and my eyes filled up with tears (rare unless about babies dying, or romantic stuff, I'm a softie though I don't look it.) This is a beautiful piece and I love how you detailed the different phases of your and her lives. Excellent poem. I'm so glad you entered my contest and I was introduced to your fabulous poetry.
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This poem is just wonderful! The detailed emotions are very deep and really show a great deal of care to a friend.
real and meaningful friendship never dies, no matter how far is that special friend.
Amazing write Serenem!
Kisses and love,
Mari
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