A True Friend

How would you define friendship,
In the real, true sense of the word?
Someone who will always stand by you
Through all the good or bad he’s heard?

One you’ve lost your temper with,
And treated him so wrongly unkind?
Who five minutes later goes out of his way
To help you calm-down, and unwind?

I had a friend who fits this description,
I knew him all of his life.
He shared so much with all of us,
Through happy times, and times of strife.

He saw so many things happen here,
And remained a true friend to us all.
He saw our hopes rise up to the sky,
And was a comfort, when some hopes would fall!

He never learned to open a door,
So we’d often let him in and out.
Sometimes we’d scold him for ‘bothering’ us,
And with hurt feelings, he’d frown and pout!

But not for long, not like WE would do,
He’d just swallow his pride, and forgive.
He WAS a friend, in the TRUE sense of the word.
From HIS example, that’s how WE should live!

He had a full life, and outlived three wives,
But he really never got bitter.
He grew-up with my kids, and was a pal to them.
You never met a more faithful baby-sitter!

By stature, he was only twelve inches high,
But I’ve never known so tall a friend!
This poem that I write, tells you tonight
His life here, has come to an end.

But I prefer to believe that a friend so true,
Can never really be ‘gone’...
Memories of PEPE’ will continue to live;
So for now, let’s just say, ‘So Long’!

                             jac 3-13-83