Happy National Poetry Day dear friends and troopers- I came across this poem entitled ‘Friends’ this morning. I had written it back in 2001 when I was slowly coming to terms with challenging illnesses. Perhaps it was a form of creative therapy that would eventually lead me to change my life forever to becoming a full-time author. What is your favourite poem and why? Here is the unedited version of fifteen years ago.

Friends

By Miriam McGuirk
April 2001

Never be sad, don’t ever be blue
Because
I am here for you
When people let you down
As they will through the years
Don’t ever despair
Because
I’ll still be there for you.

When the pressure is on and
You are finding it tough

Breathe,
Remember you have all you need.

You can call, text or email twenty four seven
I will listen and help if you want,
That is my job.

Don’t be afraid to say how you feel,
I will be around on the happy days
The testing and oh so
challenging days too,
When you just don’t know what to do

Breathe,
Remember I am here through and through

We only need one good friend
Who will not judge or try to change us
Who will say it will be ok
And it will.

As I hug and hold you
Feeling safe again,
Ready to face life’s challenges

Breathe,
You have all you need.

Life has its ups and downs but no matter what
We can lean on each other,
Finding our peace and happy
times again.

Friends are hard to find,
even more difficult to keep
Friends can be forever,
Let’s support each other

Breathe,
Remember you have all you need.