Leaves of Companionship
In youth, the bonds of friendship are simple threads,
Playmates, companions in the dance of joy,
A shared laughter, a mirrored step,
Together in the light, carefree, unknowing.
In adolescence, the ties grow,
Stronger, yet still bound in the fleeting pleasures,
Of shared secrets, adventures in the twilight,
A brotherhood, a sisterhood, sealed in the passing days.
But in the realm of maturity, friendship finds its depth,
No longer just a shared play, but a tapestry,
Woven with understanding, with the silences that speak,
Of absences accepted, of moods and needs respected.
Here, friendship becomes a sanctuary,
A place where giving is not weighed or measured,
Where presence is a gift, and absence is understood,
Where hearts remain close, even when miles apart.
I sing of these friendships, these adult bonds,
Celebrate the joy of true companionship,
And yet, a note of sorrow for those that could not grow,
For the threads that did not weave into the fabric of life.
In this, I find the essence of friendship,
A dance through the years, a harmony of souls,
Bound not by time or place, but by the simple truth,
That in the heart's memory, we are never alone.
Friendship is a complex concept. In childhood, a friendship is primarily about having a playmate, someone willing to engage in the same activities at the same time, finding joy in the same things. As we enter adolescence, friendship evolves into a bond with certain people we consider inseparable, though, much like in childhood, these relationships often revolve around shared fun and the occasional emotional outburst typical of that age.
However, as we mature, we come to realize that friendship is something deeper. It becomes a pursuit of companionship in life, an effort to avoid loneliness, and a means of imparting greater meaning to our actions. Thus, adult friendship is more intricate; it involves understanding absences, moods, challenges, and needs. It is about sharing all the good moments, giving because one wants to give, and being present because one chooses to be. At times, it means not being physically present, yet still knowing that one remains in the thoughts and hearts of those friends.
Today, I celebrate and cherish all the adult friendships I have. At the same time, I lament for those friendships that have not managed to transition or mature to this level.