I'm hoping several people on this forum can help me with something special. I've been asked to moderate an informal get-together of friends at a reunion in June of about 40 women from one of my childhood home-towns and am thinking that a number of poems to intersperse with music and individual sharing would be good. I've found two, but they don't really pull at my heart-strings. I'm looking for poems on friendship or home. They can be worshipful, funny, or just endearing. In fact, I might prefer a variety. There's not a great big hurry, and I'll keep looking, also. Thanks in advance! Prairie.
What do you think of this one by Edgar Guest? "A Friend's Greeting" I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me; I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be; I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day As you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way. I'd like to do the big thing and the splendid things for you, To brush the gray from out your skies and leave them only blue; I'd like to say the kindly things that I so oft have heard, And feel that I could rouse your soul the way that mine you've stirred. I'd like to give you back the joy that you have given me, Yet that were wishing you a need I hope will never be; I'd like to make you feel as rich as I, who travel on Undaunted in the darkest hours with you to lean upon. I'm wishing at this special time that I could but repay A portion of the gladness that you've strewn along my way; And could I have one wish right now, this only would it be: I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me. (I'm also open to jokes about getting older, clever quips, quotes, or sayings that women in general could relate to. Warning: Some of them would not laugh at some of the things we laugh about here! I'm thinking this might be one of the poems I use.)
"When you ask God for a gift, Be thankful if he sends not diamonds or pearls, but the love of true friends." "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out" "Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job." "A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself." "True friendship is sitting together in silence and feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had." "A friend is someone who reaches for your hand, but touches your heart." "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." (I especially like that one!) 'Sorry that I don't know who wrote these, but I wanted to post a few more of my "finds" for anyone who's interested Count your garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your days by the golden hours, don't remember clouds at all. Count your life by smiles, not tears, and with joy on every birthday. Count your age by friends, not years.
'Retrieving this thread to say thanks to Amy (ABall) for the selections, "Sand and Stone" and "Take This Quiz," which we plan to be using tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow's the day for the get-together, and things are shaping up well. A harpist has been invited, and while she's setting up after the meal, I plan to give the quiz to the group. The women with whom I previewed it were impressed, Amy. Prayer needs: That I can think clearly, be in tune with the coordinator in keeping the events flowing smoothly, be sensitive to any words which the Holy Spirit might like to speak to any of the women there (including myself), and that the precious Name of Jesus can be lifted up. About 30 women plan to come. A lot of work has been put into this by the hostesses. I'm slightly nervous about doing a good job with my part. Yeah, "slightly!"
Oops! This last post should have been in the "Christian" section. 'Sorry! I don't have time to try to figure out how to change it now, but if someone else (moderator?) would like to transfer it, that would be fine with me. Either way. 'Gotta run.
Yes! Thanks Timkelmom! When you're down and troubled And you need some loving care And nothing, nothing is going right, Close your eyes and think of me, And soon I will be there To brighten up even your darkest night. You just call out my name, And you know wherever I am I'll come running to see you again. Winter, spring, summer or fall, All you have to do is cal,l And I'll be there. You've got a friend. If the sky above you Grows dark and full of clouds And that old north wind begins to blow, Keep your head together And call my name out loud. Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door. You just call out my name, And you know wherever I am I'll come running to see you. Winter, spring, summer or fall, All you have to do is call, And I'll be there. Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend When people can be so cold? They'll hurt you, and desert you, And take your soul if you let them. Oh, but don't you let them! You just call out my name, And you know wherever I am, I'll come running to see you again. Winter, spring, summer or fall, All you have to do is call, And I'll be there You've got a friend!
This one is one of my absolute favorite ones.... i carry your heart with me (by ee cummings) i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling) i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) ee cummings
Krista, if I didn't know better, I'd almost think you were in my generation! ee cumings was SO popular when I was in school, but this is one of his poems that I hadn't seen yet. This has got to be one of his best! Thanks for sharing it!
It is in the movie "In Her Shoes" With Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette. Toni Collett is one of my favs - probably because I've absolutely loved EVERY movie she's ever been in. Now I seek them out. "In Her Shoes" has shot to my top 20 favs, very easily. It is about sister relationship. It's a tear jerker. The poem - along with a few other pieces....I can't remember - I think it's called "About Losing" or something like that - Oh DAG....now I got to rent the movie again! I think I should just buy it. I'm trying to get my biological sister to see it. She and I are SO VERY different, and have spent much of our life apart - yet...there is an undeniable bond...I can talk to her like no other. Anyway....getting misty.... Thru the movie, I've rediscovered ee cummings (will not dishonor him by capitalizing his name!). And many other poets. Long before I married, etc, I used to read all the time, and poetry was one of my favs. One of my college professors thought I had the soul of a poet (of course, he may have had a devious agenda! LOL ). He was said when I dropped out of school! Oh well... I do know this poem sounds like it's to a lover - but I think if you read it with the eyes of sisterhood, it is so fitting.
My dear sister was there yesterday, Krista. Yesterday was a GREAT day, not that my part was so great, but the fellowship of like-minded women is hard to beat! Here's my favorite poem of the day: "Hast Thou no Scar?" by Amy Carmichael Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land; I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star. Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned. Hast thou no wound? No wound? No scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And piercèd are the feet that follow Me. But thine are whole; can he have followed far Who hast no wound or scar? (Thank you again, to you who said you were praying for me!)
