No Fairweather Friends Allowed

John is a contemporary poet who uses the rhyming styles of the classics to discuss current issues.

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.

— Aristotle

Friendship ~ a Word Prompt by Brenda Arledge

The subject "friendship" is a wonderful thing to write about so I thank our fellow writer and colleague, Brenda Arledge for her weekly prompt and the inspiration for this poem.

I am a bit late to the party this time but thankfully there was no time limit. So many wonderful poems have already been written in response to the "friendship" prompt and I was sure I couldn't add anything unique or special to the mix. I hoped my muse would be able to come up with a different slant or point of view but I think she failed me. After all, how many different slants can you put on friendship?

That said, I eventually sat down and wrote a poem, and so here I present ~ "No Fairweather-friends Allowed!"

No Fair-weather Friends Allowed!

A friend is your pal, amigo, or buddy,

Your comrade, your mate, or your homie.

A true friend supports and always has your back.

Their friendship isn’t fake, false or phony.

A real friend accepts you the way that you are

They’ll reach out to you from near or far,

Just to keep in touch and make sure you are well.

A friend doesn’t judge, to them you’re a star.

A friend will be honest and give you advice,

They want you to have a happy life.

They will not just tell you what you want to hear,

For in the long term that will cause you strife.

A friend has high standards that they’ll hold you to,

And they’ll be a role model for you.

They won’t judge your failures, just say, “Try again.”

And your successes they will cheer-lead too.

Fair-weather friends leave when the going gets tough,

Their compassion is not off-the-cuff.

They are only around for what they can get.

But true friends say, “I just can’t help enough.”

They’ll support you in grief, hold you when you cry,

Wet their shoulders with tears from your eyes.

They’ll be at your bedside to say their goodbyes

On the heart-breaking last day when you die.

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Friendship is not only invaluable, but also beautiful. Being a good friend and being a good man is the same thing.

— Aristotle

© 2021 John Hansen