Helen My Best Friend

Helen is hysterical, so witty you laugh until you cry,
She’s a little spit-fire, 4 foot 11 -- a bit of a short fry,
Now I can say that because she knows it’s said in jest,
There is no finer person, as a friend she is truly my best.

We met while nursing where we had so much fun,
Managing to laugh at work yet still get the job done.
While we have switched jobs and moved to a different place,
We are only as far away as it takes to pack our suitcase.

At my Mom and Dad’s funeral I was lost and very sad,
She sat by my side, filling in as family that I no longer had.
Always there in my life for the very best and worst of times,
If I need her, she gets to me, over obstacles she climbs,

Following major surgery she came to nurse me to health,
Her kindness, compassion and care, is her greatest wealth
She babysat my children and made my favourite meal,
Kraft dinner and homemade applesauce, oh what a deal. 

She said I needed a pick me up, so she bought hair dye,
Slowly applying the hair colour, careful not to get in my eye.
When my hair went purple and ended up a flashy, brillant red,
She said you don’t need a mirror, just know you don’t look dead.

Our husbands understand our bond, having been through so much,
We never miss a birthday, Christmas or any reason to stay in touch,
I sometimes feel guilty as it seems she is always there to help me,
She’ll say “Oh don’t be so silly, it’s just because I love you Lee”

I never feel so good as I do when I am with my friend Helen,
Together we’ve nursed patients and even the occasional felon,
We met on my first nursing job and she became my best friend,
Some forty years later, our longtime friendship still has no end.



Dedicated to my best friend Helen Tilden
Written July 21, 2011
For contest “Ode to a friend”
Won 6th Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Taylor Avatar
July 29, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Congrats on your win, Lee. Beautiful tribute to your friend. Nice going. Thanks for your comment on my piece. Have a great weekend. luv Ralph
Devonshire Avatar
July 27, 2011 at 9:08 AM
This poem is unforgettable, Lee. Congratulations! Love, Carolyn
K. Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 12:09 PM
I couldn't help but smile throughout your entire poem, Lee :) You sure shared with us such a wonderful story with your fun and awesome friend :) You sure are lucky to have such a wonderful friend and loyal too :D Super congrats on your win!
George   Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Congratulations dear Lee, for your supper win, with this wonderful dedication to a wonderful life-time friend. Well done! . Way to go girl. Elaine,
Dufresne Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 8:31 AM
I see you wona contest with this friendship delight, Lee. It's no wonder. The sentiments within are well portrayed. A fine job of it and great gift to a great friend. You both are blessed for sure
Brown Avatar
July 26, 2011 at 7:10 AM
Congratulations on your winning poem in Michael's "Ode to a Friend" contest Lee. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Congrats Lee on a terrific win with this amazing poetry on ode to a friend.. so nice to share sweet words like this luv..enjoy another sweet success with luv..
Ramage Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Thanks so much... she is even better than I can express in poetry, just a great person. Lee
Hornschuch Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Lee, Congrats on your win, I truly loved this piece, thank you for sharing a piece of your life, and Helen's too!!
Ramage Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Thanks Michael, she is truly a great friend. Lee
Mehta Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 9:35 PM
My congratulations on this win in the contest of Michael,Lee
Ramage Avatar
July 24, 2011 at 6:02 PM
I just called my friend and I am making her brunch tomorrow. A thank you she will get. Take care Lee
Culverhouse Avatar
July 24, 2011 at 5:15 PM
such a great friend!! she needs a nice thank you!! beautiful poem! Thank you for ereading my poems and commenting.
Ramage Avatar
July 24, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Just responded to your comment in the wrong place, sorry, I just called my friend and I am making her brunch tomorrow. A thank you she will get. Take care Lee
Dietrich Avatar
July 22, 2011 at 12:06 PM
I have a few friends like this too, Lee. How nice for you. Loved that you enjoy Kraft macaroni. It's not good for ya, but i love that stuff too. Oh, about my white room, it was at the house of my bishop in the LDS church. He had a large family and they had that one room for guests, very very quiet and white (it was lovely, but the silence was deafening!)hope you score big with your sweet poem
Ramage Avatar
July 25, 2011 at 11:25 PM
Thanks Andrea, appreciate your comments. Had my friend for lunch today and had Kraft dinner... not good for us but sometimes you just have to enjoy life. Love Lee
Devonshire Avatar
July 22, 2011 at 8:43 AM
Wow, what a loving tribute, Lee. You are blessed to have a friend who has been there by your side through happy times as well as sad ones. My friend Barbara drove 400 miles in a blizzard to attend my father's funeral because she didn't want me to feel "alone." I can really relate to this well-written poem. Best wishes in the contest! Love, Carolyn
A   Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 9:48 PM
a nice dedication.. enjoyed your poem,, have yourself a wonderful and blessed day,..p.d.
Ramage Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 9:52 PM
Thanks so much. I don't think words truly express what a great person she is. thanks for the comments. Lee
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