friend

Friendship Is . . .

It is a sweet thing, friendship, a dear balm,
A happy and auspicious bird of calm,
Which rides o'er life's ever tumultuous Ocean;
A God that broods o'er chaos in commotion;
A flower which fresh as Lapland roses are,
Lifts its bold head into the world's frore air,
And blooms most radiantly when others die,
Health, hope, and youth, and brief prosperity;
And with the light and odour of its bloom,
Shining within the dungeon and the tomb;
Whose coming is as light and music are
'Mid dissonance and gloom a star
Which moves not 'mid the moving heavens alone -
A smile among dark frowns a gentle tone
Among rude voices, a beloved light,
A solitude, a refuge, a delight.

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

A Friend Is . . .

A friend is someone who helps you clean up the dishes and you
don't even have to protest once.

...that one word "hello" over the phone that can make you feel
better than 10 minutes of conversation with anyone else.

...deep talks that go on until 3 a.m. On a work night!

A friend is more than a shoulder to cry on. A friend is the kind
of understanding that makes crying unnecessary.

...someone to call in a hurry when something really watchable
is on TV.

...sharing a pizza.

A friend is someone you can do nothing with
and enjoy it.

...one good reason for believing in ESP.

...someone who won't say, "You look terrible!" when you look
terrible.

A friend is the one who is already there doing it when everyone
else is saying, "Is there anything I can do?"

...someone who will quietly destroy the snapshot that makes you
look like the bride of Frankenstein.

...not too much sugar and just enough spice.

...a little bit different every day but always the same.

A friend is someone who really is glad when you succeed.

...a believer in the spur of the moment.

...someone with whom you can either a borrower or a lender be.

A friend is a person who knows your sensitive spots but will never
poke you there.

...a whole lot of wonderful people rolled into one.

...someone you can trade secrets with and never worry.

...laughter and going places and doing new things and having the
best time ever.

A friend is the closest thing to me there is in more ways than one.

Words from "The Prophet" on Friendship

And a youth said, Speak to us of Friendship.
And he answered, saying: Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and keep with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own
mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent, your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts; all desires, all expectations
are born and shared, with joy that is unclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the
mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love
but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing
of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

~ Kahlil Gibran