Sep 6, 2013

POETRY FRIDAY: A Silverstein Poem Celebrating Friendship

Thanks to Laura at Author Amok for hosting Poetry Friday this week!

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I have been thinking a lot about friendship this week. What plants the first seeds of friendship? Why do some friendships fade with moves or changes in circumstance? What makes others flourish, despite distance, time, and the general craziness of life?

I am blessed with many wonderful friends, in my “personal life” and in my “writing life.” Due to our family’s moves, I also have *many* friends all over that I am not in close contact with, but who I still care about and keep tabs on through the wonder that is modern technology. One of my sisters—and I count my two sisters as close friends—is a missionary in Brazil. Without email and Skype, I would only get to see her or talk to her once every two years!

After mulling over this topic, I decided that the “magic ingredient” to the most enduring friendships is the amount of effort you put into them. (Yes, this is taking into consideration that some friendships, no matter how much you try, still sometimes cool—but that is all a part of the changing nature of life in general.)

This poem by Shel Silverstein captures this thought perfectly, and can be applied to many things in life, as well. I hope you enjoy it, and that you take the time soon to tell your friends how much they mean to you! ♥

How Many, How Much
By Shel Sliverstein (1930-1999)
 
How many slams in an old screen door?
Depends how loud you shut it.
How many slices in a loaf of bread?
Depends how thin you cut it.
How much good inside a day?
Depends how good you live 'em.
How much love inside a friend?
Depends how much you give 'em.
 
~From A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC, 1994
 
Yellow roses are symbols of friendship
 

8 comments:

  1. In giving you shall receive. Yup.
    My late father used to lament on the "instant" everything. Even instant coffee was suspect, no matter how many taste testers said it was as good.

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  2. Hi, Becky. I *just* had this conversation with my friend Margaret yesterday, which prompted today's post. Thanks for sharing another great friendship poem.

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  3. What gorgeous roses, and a great tie in for the topic! Definitely trying to make time for friends is a good thing to do- me and my 'bestie' are going to go eat Mexican next week. Or as we call it 'chicken & cheese'(Arroz Con Pollo). =)

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  4. Thanks for introducing me to this fine Shel Silverstein poem. I do appreciate your thoughts about friendship... much wisdom there.

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  5. Just sent this one to a friend of mine. Thank you!

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  6. This is probably my all-time favorite Shel Silverstein poem! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Shel Silverstein's poems are honest, fun-in-a-weird-way and always awesome. Sometimes even close friendships cool, and it's not because we haven't tried keeping it together. It's a pity but it's also a chance for new friendships to blossom.

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  8. Yep, there's a reason he's one of the greats! I'm pretty sure he would have made one heck of a friend too.

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