The Company We Keep
above all other things
love rules
the affirming rewards of friendship
might be muddled or indeterminate
by imposed anxieties weighing on us
yet
no matter how fragile we become
no matter how cauterized by grief
we are a gorgeous study of propinquity
knitted tightly together with visceral detail
to conquer all with collective courage
above all other
things love endures
the nurturing gratuity of feminine bonds
describe the unmapped terrain of our nature
a nonlinear narrative asserts our united oaths
the company we keep pronounces our prayers
the company we keep sustains our constitution
above all other things
amity enriches
deepens our
faith
enhances our confidence
heightens our convictions
supplements our
trust
eliminates our fears
no matter how breakable we feel
no matter how disheartened we are
the company we keep keeps us breathing
**
Throughout my lifetime, I have been fortunate enough to
encounter a great number of tremendous humans.
Some of them stayed for the briefest of moments, some stayed long enough
for me to learn something either about myself or the world and others have
entered my life and are here to stay. I
am grateful to every single soul for their lessons and their love, however short-lived,
transistory or lasting. But it is to
those who have planted roots, those constant in my journey that I dedicate this
to. You all know who you are.
Just a friendly reminder to you all, love your people
with all of your might. Appreciate
them. Support them and be kind. Never slight or antagonize or lie to them. Your people are your estate, treat them as
such. Build them up, encourage them and
let them shine. Life is too short to mistreat
your treasured few.
I get by with a
little help from my friends …
In propinquity,
Nic
Thank you for this poem, Nicole. I needed the reminder today. I always love my people; I just forget sometimes how much. And the needs of others get in the way of my loved ones so I'm not always as present as I should be with those who truly count. Your gorgeous-as-usual poem has me somewhat sheepish for the tantrums I've thrown this week when in truth it's my own doing. Priorities, priorities, time to reframe. I love you, Bean; you and one other. Always.
ReplyDeleteI love you too, Ru. Both of you. Ever grateful. These words are for my people, like the two of you.
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