We only reveal what we wish and need
To those whom we feel we respect.
We share ourselves in word and deed,
And we are quick to notice neglect.
Friendship is a gift, it's true;
It is also a sacred crown.
The reason it's offered to only a few
Is because we've been taken down.
Everyone living, whether small or grown,
Has felt both loved and lost.
We all remember being alone,
And we understand friendship's cost.
Some trust again, eas'ly it seems,
While some are slower to risk.
We hang on tight to our broken dreams,
And remember too well the fists.
Thus, when there are two who know,
That their walks have been near enough,
Their hearts they slowly begin to show,
And their minds, and feelings, and dreams, and stuff.
If both of the friends are patient and kind,
If not with the world, then each other,
After some time, they both may find,
Something closer than sister or brother.
For even if one, or both of the friends
Has a mate to hold true and dear,
Friendship's a road that has no ends,
And a true friend causes no fear.
The fears we know are in ourselves,
And come from the lives we've led.
If all who claimed "friend" were fairies and elves,
We'd be much less bruised and bled.
But most folks we meet, here in this life,
Are of the most human sort.
And so we share their pains and strife,
And sometimes their glances we court.
For, even though we know the danger,
It's worse to feel this cold.
And so we risk the storms and anger,
And act as though we're bold.
As our boldness slowly gets strong,
We learn what's safe and what hurts.
And so we discover we really belong,
And friends grow in jumps and spurts.
Whether friendship is a moment's pleasure
Or a connection that lasts for years,
Every second it's here is its own treasure,
Whether sharing laughter or tears.
So I take friendship for what it's worth,
Which is greater than diamonds and gold.
Ev'ry moment with a friend on this great Earth
I watch a new flower unfold.
© 2000 by Randy Cromwell
PITH is an independent magazine of artistic exploration, dedicated to the discovery of new work and the sharing of unique viewpoints. It is funded by individual sales, subscriptions, and pizza delivery, so we need your support. We'll even send you a pizza if you like.
We use only the freshest paper from the rarest trees, (for Pith - not the pizza) and we print with fine, rich, petroleum-based inks, (again, for the magazine, not the pizza) to preserve Pith, even after the rest of the world has been destroyed by pollution.
Cover price is three dollars, American, and two more for postage and envelopes, if you live in the United States. (Total: $5.00)
(Postage to other countries is slightly higher, perhaps because of better service or cooler stamps.)
We are also looking for submissions of new, unpublished materials, as well as new pizza recipes, so please contact us.
For details, send us an e-mail.
© 2000 by Randy Cromwell