For Jim
There is the family by blood,
There is the family of choice.
The one a work of nature,
The other born of the valued voice,
The manner and the measure
Of the long trusted friend;
From whose welcome wit we gather our souls' true treasure:
Our conduct's guide, our action's end.
Our friends define the best of ourselves,
Bringing all our gifts to light.
Sharing cares and joys alike
They complete our days and soothe our nights
With their banter and their familiar ways.
They serve us as the living mirror
To our improvement through our numbered days,
Through the act grow ever dearer.
No friends match the oldest,
Those who know and love us best.
These are the ones whose truths are boldest,
Whose honest vision stands the test
When we would fain dissemble to ourselves;
Who make us see what most needs seeing,
Whose faith in us undaunted delves
Within our depths, intent on freeing
That inner self we were born to share,
That common spirit that resides somewhere.
Though we grow old and older still
Youth's boundless strength can never fade
From out the bounds of common will
Our shared experience has made.
Let us then spend our hours in close companionship
However best we may, my dear comrade,
Reflecting one another as the hours slip
In sharing all we have, and had.
Copyright © William Masonis | Year Posted 2007
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