John Loving Iii Poet Imagism

Our Friends

you want to feed
the birds and squirrels
but not the rats and roaches
a little kindness for the cute
but none for those that poaches

we make pets of 
cats and dogs
but rarely play with 
snakes and frogs

visit the elephants
at the zoo
mind the carnivorous
watching you

don't dance with wolves
or swim with gators
they'll try to eat you 
now or later

mind the hornet 
and the spider
ones a stinger 
the other a bitter

it's just the same 
with friends and foes
what they are
nobody knows

spiders, wolves, dogs, rats
ready to stab you in the back
when you least expect it
just like that

night will fall
and they'll attach
without a warning
peep or quack

it's all over 
just like that

your money or your life
your girlfriend or your wife
a she devil or a saint
what she did that made you faint

we should causciously
choose our friends
what they are
we won't know till the end

just like the word, friend
the last half of that word 
is spelled end

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Doris Culverhouse July 5, 2011 at 6:26 PM irony and humor....I like it!

Cory Long June 29, 2011 at 6:34 AM I like the humor you portray in this creative piece. cory

Phyllis Babcock June 10, 2011 at 5:33 PM Read this piece again. Yes, you have to be careful of friends because they can stab you in the back. Had it done a couple of times and it hurts like ----. Then I remember it is better to forgive. love phyl

James Foulk May 31, 2011 at 5:08 PM a great piece of writing, very creative, enjoyed it.

Joy Wellington May 30, 2011 at 6:12 PM John, John, John listen guy, did someone stab you in the back? This sounds like someone that's been wounded. Hope not my friend. A very good write! Thanks for your love. Joy (Jew)

Dawn Mclaughlin May 28, 2011 at 1:10 PM Great Pen And oh so True Love it Dawn, Smiles :)

Andrea Dietrich May 27, 2011 at 9:56 PM Hey, I really enjoyed this one, john, long time no see,just catching up on old freinds tonight. happy Memorial day weekend to ya.

Derrick Burton May 24, 2011 at 2:01 PM Read that a few times, enjoyed reading today have a good one.

Phyllis Babcock May 15, 2011 at 10:46 AM That is so true John. I like what you have done in this poem. Down with a spring cold and sound like a frog at the moment. Hope all is well with you. love phyl

M.I.A . May 13, 2011 at 6:48 PM Enjoyed this alot John. The animal rhymes are wonderful and yet, you managed to somber it the ending, in a good way. it's like having a fever n taking a cold shower in the same time...sensational! ^,^

Carolyn Devonshire May 12, 2011 at 2:42 PM Thanks for your comment, John. Peter is an engineer for the state of NJ and has a nice family now. He was really a nice guy -- just had the hormones all teenage boys have. Love you, Carolyn

Desiree M May 11, 2011 at 9:04 PM A very clever poem on friendship, i totally agree with this part "just like the word, friend the last half of that word is spelled end"

Lisa Cooper May 9, 2011 at 6:51 PM lovely write you might want to correct the spelling on squirrels. :)

Carolyn Devonshire May 5, 2011 at 4:10 PM Very, very clever, John. You made some astute observations about human (as well as animal) behavior in this awesome poem. Excellent! Love, Carolyn

Poet Destroyer A May 4, 2011 at 7:33 PM I know you know I enjoy this one.. cute.. and funny... but,, the ending has so much meaning... I once told a friend that.. and boy did he get mad.. and talk about me.. Gosh I'll never say that to some one to upset them.... anyways... all the animal things on top was mighty cute... and no i would not play with snakes nor frogs.. but, i do trust my friends and i would play with them... take care.. John,..p.d.

Cory Long May 4, 2011 at 6:48 PM I liked this poem, good job with it.. Cory

Sara Kendrick May 2, 2011 at 2:16 PM Enjoyed reading this one..Good comparison to animals what some people are in life..I am glad that I chose it to read this eve..Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a kind a review..It was uplifting..Sara

Charlotte Puddifoot May 2, 2011 at 2:01 PM this poem amazes me in more ways than one...

Carol Sunshine Brown May 2, 2011 at 1:54 PM I enjoyed reading your poetry today John III. I will be back again soon to read more. Have a wonderful week filled with good health, love, and lots of inspiration. Love, Carol

Linda-Marie Sweetheart May 2, 2011 at 7:26 AM interesting parallels John and some of those animals mentioned are as dangerous as those who would say they are your friend but are not in the end... very nice rhyme to bring this message to the forefront ... thankxx for enjoying my lovely lady leopard for the contest luv..

Anne Rutherford May 2, 2011 at 6:17 AM John how clever of you to think this out . wonderful take on 'friends ' .Anne

Cory Long May 2, 2011 at 5:03 AM i like how you incorporated animals and people.very well written. cory