BEST FRIENDS by Robin Baldwin

I wrote this poem as a birthday gift for my best friend…

I wanted to capture the journey of our nearly 40-year friendship and the moments that stood out in my heart. We have been through a lot together and I could not imagine my life without her. I also wrote this poem for my daughters, who are learning about what it means to be a friend at the tender age of 12. My wish for them is that they find the kind friendship I am blessed to have.

Best Friends

by Robin Baldwin

On this milestone day

I’d like to say all the things

I wish you knew.

My life changed when

We met in 7th grade math and became best friends.

You helped me through our teenage years,

Always making me laugh with your quick wit.

We shared our ups and downs

Supporting each other when

Searching for ourselves in our twenties,

Wondering what our future had in store for us.

Our thirties gave us more shared adventures

But my favorite memory was the day

You witnessed my hips transform into

Shelves in my final weeks of pregnancy.

You became Aunt Stacy the day the girls arrived.

We crashed into our forties

During my early years of motherhood,

So much of that time is a bit of a blur.

This decade brought new challenges

For us both as we learned a

Thing or two about taking care of our parents.

Now, as 50 descends upon us,

I am struck by the fact that

My daughters are the age

When we cemented our friendship.

I pray that they each find that one friend

Who will always be there

To celebrate life’s great joys and sorrows,

To lift them up, cheer them on,

And love them for who they are

Just as I have loved you.

Cheers to 50 and many more!

Robin Baldwin: I was born and raised in Southern California, where I still live. I have a Bachelor's degree in business and a Master's degree in mass communication. I am a senior manager at IEEE Computer Society and have worked there for 21 years. I write about what’s going on in my life through the views of the various roles I assume in any given moment: mom of twins, wife, daughter, friend, manager, woman, spiritual seeker. I try to have a positive outlook on life whenever possible. I treat others like I want to be treated and I always want the underdogs to win. Feel free to contact me through my blog, Words for Life.

~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I look forward to hearing from you!~

Comments

IMAGINE A WOMAN by Patricia Lynn Reilly

This poem invites you to look upon yourself with loving kindness… Gazing at your own true reflection, you will discover that everything you have longed for “out there” is already within you! I invite you to love your creativity fiercely. Faithfully plant seeds, allowing under-the-ground dormant seasons, nurturing your creative garden with love and gratitude. In the fullness of time, the green growing things thrust forth from the ground. It's a faithful, trustworthy process. AND it takes time and patience. Blessed is the fruit of your creative womb! I invite you to trust your vision of the world and express it. With wonder and delight, paint a picture, create a dance, write a book, and make up a song. To give expression to your creative impulses is as natural as your breathing. Create in your own language, imagery, and movement. Follow no script. Do not be limited by the customary way things have been expressed. Your creative intuition is original. Ga...

IN THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT by Ginny Brannan

Just take a moment to pause... When life becomes rote, and frustration grows from being immersed in the same routine—different day, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that peace is still there—within our grasp— if we just take a moment to pause and enjoy the stillness and beauty around us. In the Stillness of the Night by Ginny Brannan Late winter’s eve and all is still the lawn lies bathed in silver light— gray shadows race across the yard and climb atop the windowsill to draw my gaze upon the sight. I stare out to the moonlit night, across the deck and wooded path fresh–painted by new fallen snow. The scene infuses with delight; this gift inside storm’s aftermath. Half–buried now, the old birdbath lies shadowed deep in indigo— it waits on promise of the spring when arctic chill has finally passed and snow gives way to new green grass. With gratitude, I hedge to go; tranquility allays my soul… I turn ...

STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou

Six years ago, I had the privilege of listening to Maya Angelou speak live on the value of poetry at the University of Florida. I share these reflections with you again today, in honor of her birthday. I was relieved to get one of the last seats available for this rare event, having arrived at five for Maya Angelou ’s free speech at eight. The historically long line began with people settled into beach chairs in winter coats busying themselves on tablets, or eating sandwiches for dinner. As helicopters hovered above and newscasters below, I felt the excitement of realizing that thousands of people were gathering together to hear an eighty four year old black woman recite her poetry! Maya Angelou speaking at University of Florida on Feb. 27, 2013 When the curtain rose -after an overflow of hundreds were sent away- we lucky ones on the inside greeted Maya with a standing ovation, as she smiled sweetly, beginning her talk using metaphors from nature. Maya asked...

Journey of the Heart

Search This Blog