A shadow follows me around,
And stretches long across
the ground.
It jumps when I jump in the
air,
And sits beside me on my
chair,
But never makes a single
sound.
I left you behind old friend
With only a sign above the river
To say where I have gone
And I know that life
Like that mighty river
Sometimes dries and leaves
Us all stranded, wondering
The clouds above watch us
Like the eyes of all the
Missing gods. And now
In the brisk chill of the
Early morn, I think back
If my voice could only
Reach you, then ere' the
Morrow' I'd be heading
back home
A wise and sentimental one
Who lived and loved some years ago
Had crossed my path along the way
As i recall that Autumn day
By happenstance of lucky charm
As neighbors, then good friends we were
Though she was of another time
We found our words would always rhyme
A turning point that was for me
A home to call my very own
My life was just about to start
Forever called to gift my heart
She taught me not to fear my age
As life awaits then passes by
To always laugh and find the sun
And share my love with everyone
Though she’s been gone these many years
And I’m now where she was in life
I oft remember our exchange
When my world turns so cold and strange
Of many themes, we’d share our thoughts
She helped me grow, to find my strength
Yet one remains above them all
“Into each life some rain must fall”
For Harriett
I would go a mile for you, friend
You and me till this journeys end
You, I will forever defend
And go the extra mile
When days are rough I will be here
To talk and to share a sad tear
Don't worry I am always near
To make you laugh and smile
When you are sick I will help you
And I know you will help me too
'Cause you and me are stuck like glue
Even when withered senile
I lost my mind
in the twinkling of an eye
when you come, heaven
seems to come down to lap to lie.
The rose is surrounded by the thorns
beneath it's beauty but
you are my friend and for you
I can even die.
Not many things make me as happy
as the sound of your giggles and laugh.
Because I know how hard it is to keep your pride,
after all the sad deals that came out of your bag.
I’ve seen your tilting shadow waiting in the rain .
The fulfillment of a promise too difficult to sustain .
I lament those silent hours,
and the empty sound of nothingness
coming from your somber room .
But today next to your close door,
through the shadows of the moon.
While my worries stirred and soared ,
I heard your laugh again .
it was genuine , sublime ,
like a thousand fireflies dancing happily in the dark .
Like a bunch of butterflies passing swiftly
by my hands .
Like the rains of April ;
Like colorful flowers of may, blooming all at once .
Like the whooshing of your wings
almost ready to take on .
Like the times under rain drizzles
we made fun of our mistakes.
Like the universe telling me ,that you’re finally yourself ;
because you mastered to decode the DNA of pain .
Life is beautiful
these are the words you utter;
and I've been waiting.
It's all dancing through my eyes
bring blinks in the darkest night.
Time for me to leave,
even if I push myself
why I can't make it?
Why my tears tell me please no?
Can't turn my head against you.
You're a firm woman
full of desires to go on,
with contentment, compassion,
my mission ends
and I want you to breath.
But why this salty taste
keeps falling?
Heartfelt joy for a friend
Expressed with enthusiasm,
Sent with warmth and love
What could be better?
Especially if you have become their family.
Because their family of origin
Let him down or put him down
Until they had to create their own tribe.
They feel it is ever so lucky they found you
Not realizing you too have been waiting for them
for a long time.
A friend is one who sees you not as weak
But in the process of becoming strong
Who listens long and well as others speak
Not judging but encouraging along
Though in the very prime of life, a friend
Thought not of me as old or out-of-style
With genuine affection he'd extend
A laugh, a handshake, hug, or friendly smile
And you, kind sir, were just that friend to me
Although we met not frequently enough
With not a bone of insincerity
You lived as advertised: the real stuff
We spoke of sports, for this was common ground;
Of baseball, football, hoops, and favorite teams
Of quarterbacks or pitchers on the mound
Of Super Bowl, Olympic, World Cup dreams
You're gone too soon; too many words unspoken
Too little water passed under our bridge
Now through my tears I see that bridge is broken
But to have known you was my privilege.
Was I once your cherished friend?
Was it so until the end?
While we shared so many miles
did I ever make you smile?
Did my friendship comfort you
when your heart was broke in two?
Was I not just as elated
any time you celebrated?
Did you miss me very much
during times when we lost touch?
Did you value me at all?
Was I even worth a call?
How I would have liked to hear
anything from you, my dear
How I wish you would have tried
For you see, today I died
© Mike Wise
7/23/18
When last the Angels come to take me home
I'll pause in sheltered memories I leave
and peacefully my mind will surely roam
within the quiet calm that they conceive.
Your lair and guarded threshold beckoned me,
though hidden well behind tradition's door
and wrapped within your Mama's wistful pleas,
still, couldn't hide the heart I so adored.
Much like the fabled Montague of old,
I dared the very doorstep where you slept
- in kindred sharing laughed with truths you told
and gently swept the happy tears you wept.
The twilight glows upon what love begets;
forever you remain my Capulet ...
I pray for your faith
That it will always sustain you
Bring you through the worst
And abide with you in good times
I pray for your hope
That it always makes a way
Even where there seems no chance
There is always a opportunity
I pray for your joy
That it keeps you filled up
With a feeling of pure compassion
Sensitivity filled with acceptance
I pray for your peace
That it leaves you with serenity
Brings you the true harmony
That withstands all chaotic moments
I pray for your strength
That you’re always filled with courage
And moments of pure resolution
That keeps you alive with enthusiasm
I pray for your fulfillment
That you are filled to overflowing
With a sense of overwhelming caring
That comes from knowing the Lord
I pray for your love
That it may always come from above
Filling you with more kindness
Than could be spoken with mere words
Asking for a friend...
What do you do when the world is just too much?
What do you do when you’d rather bash your head against the wall then go to lunch?
Smacking a baseball bat against a cage
Seems like a good idea to get rid of this rage!
What do you do when you are so alone?
What do you do when you are lost and no one seems to notice or care?
What do you when it feels like there isn’t anyone there?
What do you do when the world turns turtle?
When every step feels like crossing a hurdle?
What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
Asking for a friend...
I wish for that, which no one else knows,
A secret of mine, the dark holds the key.
I wish for that, which others all have,
A friend in the darkest times.
Hey there, how have you been, since your breakup
Are you lonely, or looking, for love
I know a man, you call a friend, and he tells me
You're all, he ever thinks of
In the morning, over coffee, you cross his mind
And I know he, could help your heart mend
I'm not saying that he's, the man of your dreams
I just came here, asking for a friend
I'm here to ask you, if you'd consider a new
Chance at forever, with someone that you
Have known for a long time, would you try love again
Maybe it wont end, I'm just asking for a friend
For a minute, she sat there, and wondered
Then it hit her, just who it might be
She smiled, when she realized, the questions
Weren't meant for, the reasons they seemed
You can tell, your friend that I'm looking
And I can bet he, could help my heart mend
I know the man, I just don't understand
Why you came here, asking for a friend
You're here to ask me, if I'd start a new
Chance at forever, can I give you the truth
I'll take a chance , but I guess it depends
So long as, you're not here, asking for a friend
What lies before us, could last till the end
So long as, you're not here, asking for a friend
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