Best Companionship Poems
yogi comes first
my old companion burr-backed hearth-warmed
his peat-dark spring fur shedding summer’s presence
he lies on the fireplace rug squirrel-dream naps
muzzle silvered as a frost-split hickory post
a soft whine mute devotion
shadowing me keeping a keen watch
honest kind sportive soul
glued to my side even in sickness
another briar-choked ridge
to crest
hunter and chocolate lab
and then gurty
sovereign aloof moon-milk calico-born riddle
velvet paws and stealthy grace
a small Athenian goddess of the numinous
who appears vanishes wistful-eyed
moon fragment star-salt morning breeze
she prowls each rooms edge dust-mice
soft-footed serene indifferent
granting affection, rationing light
withheld offered only the queen knows
a small sheathed killer
making the world right
by choosing not to strike
between them household diplomacy
two philosophies sharing sunbeams
a duet of difference
two cultures thickening smoothing
yogi with his fawning tail-drunk joy
gurty with her vigilance her whisker-quiver
reading each moment for oneness
he presses close
she circles observing rubbing
a synthesis of presence
unconditional
i have seen her groom herself
in the soft ritual of sandy-tongue washing
and him pause trustful patient
her calm steadying him
i have watched them soften
the sandpaper-and-silk
collision
become friends family belonging
where the good life abides
night settles
they lie in parallel lives at my feet
yogi breathing his gentle snore
gurty a moon fragment curled in thought
and i smile loosen breathe
mercy can curl or bound
love a dog’s warm flank-heat
a cats purring sovereign gaze
and the small miracle
of both choosing the same rug
in the same
deepening hour
sweet yo-gurt
Friends..
Take us just as we are;
The rough and the smooth.
Accepted and loved.
With nothing to prove.
Friends..
Need us too;
Or that's what we hope.
Ask yourself this:
Are you sick, phat or dope?
Friends..
Gather together in twos, threes or fours.
Uplifting each other.
House and hearts;
Open doors.
Friends..
Share the mountainous journey,
the struggles, the views.
Friends are honest and patient.
All colours.
All hues.
Friends..
Whoever they are, whatever they're like;
Be they short, wide or lanky,
called Steph, Steve or Mike..
We should give as we take
and be present, for sure..
..as our friends are forever.
And maybe.. some more.
memories are the sweetest recompense when faced with imminent death ~ by poet
We were two for forty amative years.
I turned toward you for comfort and strength.
You came to me with your deepest dark fears.
We lifted each other and talked at length.
Each doted on the other with respect.
Our distinct differences made us whole.
The other’s support we came to expect.
Each other’s success was our greatest goal.
As successive years grew long and longer,
the wrinkles showing as we became old,
the bond between us grew strong and stronger.
Subsequent aging grew tougher, more bold.
Then Old Man Death in his black raiment came.
He proceeded to do what must be done.
My shattered life will never be the same.
We were two – woefully, now we are one.*
* HEY beautiful PS poets/poetesses. The greatest compliment to me as a poetess is that I can evoke such caring, emotional comments from colleagues. I have received so many soulful, prayerful thoughts and caring condolences about this poem, I would feel dishonest if I did not report that this is entirely a work of FICTION. My humble thanks to you all. With love, Linda
Getting up early to embark on a trip,
a snowy drive to Jersey.
Trying to quell my heart's rapid beats,
favored songs in my speakers.
"Hey man, I don't want to be alone,
not for this - not again."
"I've got you, bud -
when and where?"
Visiting his grave one more time,
now two years from the day.
Thinking of stories of him,
trying to remember his voice.
Two vets talking near a silent one;
chatting about old times and new.
I think he'd like to chime in,
and wish he could so bend our ears.
I didn't have to go there solo this round,
though it wouldn't be the first or last time.
My request for help via companionship,
so swiftly asked and answered.
Some brothers don't have the same blood
that runs through your veins;
through deed they cement the same bond,
through trials they bear the same scars.
Whenever you can, find these souls,
these spirits kind and kindred;
for when you fall, you may be stunned
at the number of hands there to lift you.
I sit in upright chair feet firm on ground
Hands held in form of prayer as I intone
Phrase taken from the Psalms, without a sound
‘My soul, wait silently for God alone.’
Thus seated many things seek to distract
Intrude my mind; I’ve learned to let them go
In imagined stream before me, it enacts
a cleanse; while on its bank I watch the flow
As objects of this world all seek to enter
Days striving to relax and just to be
I would repeat the phrase, in need to centre
Growing in awareness God is there with me.
While with language as with flesh the spirit girds
Warm companionship with God goes beyond words
30 March 2020
Written: October 1st, 2023
____________________________________________________________
If you quest for a mate, I'll be yours if you abide
Friends and mates, a loop that will never glide.
In close propinquity to one another, we will reside.
With our motley efforts, we can swivel the tide.
Fused by the bonds of oneness, harmoniously we stride.
On this journey, zeal and passion will be our guide
An enthusiastic flame, that blazes deep and wide.
The best I got from you… firm friendship
The world’s most trusted unsinkable ship.
In this wonderful world
With a colorful cord;
What I’ll give you is… cool companionship.
Dedicated to all my friends especially Tee~Y
Hugs
Kisses
Affection
Matrimony
Love
You wonder how I'd treat you
If you had a date with me
No doubt I'd be enamored
So in that case let me see
I'd take you to a restaurant
Go from entree to dessert
Then finish with a cheese plate
And a brandy wouldn't hurt
But the main thing I would do
Just spend some time with you
In depths of solitude, I stand forlorn,
With shadow as my sole and steadfast friend.
By society shunned, from kinship torn,
I ponder on life's edge, its bitter end.
Upon the bridge, where thoughts of ending bloom,
My shadow's form beside me makes its stand.
This grim moment, midst the gathering gloom,
I gasp, “l'm not alone in this bleak land!”
For shadow's silent vigil, ever true,
Has walked with me through life's relentless strain.
In every trial, every triumph too,
He’s been my constant, through both loss and gain.
So, ‘neath moon’s light, and night’s cold embrace,
My shadow stands, my solace and my grace.
-Edward
For within you resides immeasurable worth!
You are not alone in this world.
You are not alone in the struggles of this life.
If you are having a difficult time, feeling overwhelmed and overburdened, there is help out there.
It is OK to share your struggles and talk to someone.
Call 988 for help
Text 988 for support
Visit: 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline for support
Shadows on lipstick
The pink is turning gray
Flakes in the corners
But I still have to pay
She said she was the best
Not ten years long ago
I’d pay double back then
But I don’t want to love her
I just want to talk
She seems disappointed
To the point of being insulted
I say it’s not your body
Though it’s not as young as it could be
The tattoos don’t both me
Not even the rosary
I try to explain I need companionship
She says “Well then get a dog”
I can’t argue with her there but they can’t discuss
Rembrandt, but then again neither can she
So what am I doing here in the Elvis Suite in Vegas
With a $300 hooker I picked up at the MGM Grand?
I was lonely for companionship I needed to feel a connection
To feel as if I could laugh with someone and share my inner soul
Boy was I sucker, a hayseed, a water boy on the bench.
Naïve doesn’t do just to my stupidity.
Well I tried to talk about poetry, politics, anything to get a rise
But her interest was about the money and the ride.
I told her she’d get paid no matter what we did.
And she said, “Listen kid if we aren’t gong to do anything then just
Hand over the jack and I’ll be on my way.”
Well talking was nothing and I handed her the doe.
She smiled and laughed and told me she had a degree in philosophy
And would love to spend some time with me just not on the clock.
You see it takes a whole night to discuss Plato and only a moment to have a ball.
On a Wednesday
I wait for the arrival
Of friendly companionship
That comes on Friday
Something I cannot wait for
Yet I seem to disbelieve
Russell Sivey
Me and the Trash Can
Here we are this evening, Just the two of us.
We’ve never had an argument, we’ve never had a fuss,
My little friend could tell a thousand tales.
Yet he’s always silent, though a fearsome smell prevails.
Here we are this evening, me and the trash can.
He’s never asks a question, he’s quite a friend to man.
I’m cold and lonesome, and it sure is dark and quiet.
But the can’s the best company, that I can find tonight.
He don’t try to borrow money, or give me advice.
He only breeds the roaches and attracts the mice.
Here we set this evening, He’s a stinker of a host.
But we’re alone together, except for the lamp post.
I encircle myself with friends, who bemuse but still amuse me,
Who stimulate and stir my imagination,
Whose very existence adds to my life’s essence;
Choosing to eliminate those who disturb my aura.
I prefer to avail myself of only those
Who barge into my life, full of vim and vigor.
Ready to slay dragons or soar on angel wings,
Saving rain forests or kittens trapped in trees.
I am elated to be part of camaraderie
Whose totality is comprised of love and goodwill,
Where freedom is a blessing as well as a choice,
Refusing to fathom a life devoid of such motivated stimuli.
I’ve grown to love you more
and more each passing day
Something about the way
we both caught our attention
We could sense that we belong
Sparks started fly between us
Like a jigsaw puzzle fitting
pieces of our lives in place
We’re here to lookout for
our safety and companionship
You’ve made me very happy
By Nicolas “Nick” Crowley 11/6/20
Copyright Nicolas Crowley