These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Friendship

Friendship. What a lofty gift!
Maintained in hearts of meaning shared,
the mutual hope of lives we lift
shows daily how the loved one's cared.

But how is friendship kept by one
when the other finds friendships abroad.
The lonely friend thinks, "What was done
to make these feelings, now be rawed?"

So many years ago these two
had hearts adjoined in love's first kiss.
No day would pass with sunset through,
before shared future hopes in this.

But now the old one finds his place
amid Life's bits and pieces, that mound
around his feet, and slow his pace,
where once was daily, joyful sound.

"Not needed" seems old friendship's song,
"I've found my hopes in newer friends."
How could this friend do hurtful wrong?
How few the days, that help him mend.

Old age is friendship's mournful bane
when one stays young through others found,
while fading, hoary pate in vain
has slipping hope, which once was bound.

How much the shelf on friendship finds
the dust of years in uselessness!
The strength of newness often blinds
to hearts made sad by lacking bless.

by Jay O’Toole
on September 16th, 2025