EVERGREEN

If I am dust, how will I gather myself if the wind are my hands

Your friendship

is not like rain

which comes and goes away

is not like sun

which hides behind a storm

is not like water

which recedes in season of drought

is not like fire

which flickers when its douse

is not like star

which is distant, lofty and proud

is not like tree

which changes color

sheds its leaves comes Fall

but like zephyr

tenderly silent, always around

evergreen

...

by NeiL ArandA 03/04/2015

Author's Note

Thoughts and words inspired by Gabrielle's friendship ...

Reviews

[gabrielle]

If we are to take separately the first to sixth stanza then add the last stanza to it, the same could make a simple but meaningful morning text message to a friend. Stated otherwise, pwedeng pang-text message ;)
And then, i saw the name Gabrielle in the author's note..... and my narcissistic self keeps on nudging that this Gabrielle refers to yours truly but the reasonable self vehemently objected on the belief that she could not possibly left such sweet, kind impression to anyone for reason that she is graceless to any form of associations :) Notwithstanding, the assuming-narcissistic self, who is so eager to take credit as the source of inspiration, would like to convey her appreciation for such nice, positive thoughts on friendship. :) Thank you for being a friend, Neil :)

[NeiL ArandA]

Gab thank you that you like this simple poem. I have always dream of writing à poem about you since we crossed path here in WC . You personality and mind are as complex as the weather. I could not find the most suitable allusion to describe you until à friend of mine challenge and asked me to use Evergreen in my poem . There finally came the inspiration.

[NeiL ArandA]

You.have been the silent type like à soft gentle quiet wind . Since day one that I came in contact with your breeze . You remain consistent and connected. We have had our squalls of discussions and arguments and disagreements on some trivial topics and matters but your soft gentle refreshing breeze never cease. Theres disagreement but never disconnected . Your calm and reassuring wind are constant and unchanging .

[NeiL ArandA]

Gab please dont understimate or sell yourself short . People notice our blind spot or good spot through another's pair of lense . Evergreen is à word that can stand alone or fall on its own . Narcissism is à predisposion when we become the eye of our own storm. The collateral effect in its surroundings is destructive and evident. Zephyr refreshès other winds wear us down .

[gabrielle]

I am not selling myself short. Just acknowledging some shortcomings.

[gabrielle]

The choice whether to worship at the altar of technicalities in terms of poetry form and definition of words belongs to the creator. You chose a beautiful simile for friendship. :)

[NeiL ArandA]

An evergreen is also an overcomer. Shortcomings can be a pathway or springboard to a more greater heights. It doesnt define us but can motivate us to be better and stronger than we already are . Shortcomings arent hindrance but a pathway to greatness . Thank you my friend for all the support you have extended to me . I would not have made this far and stayed on this site this far had not for your refreshing closeness and gentle presence .

[NeiL ArandA]

Gab the allusion or elements used by the author is à shortcomings . Rain brings refreshment but its sporadic and inconsistent. It has its own limitation . Rains personality maybe self limiting as someone who would walk à mile but not à second or extra mile for us . Its not enduring. Its seasonal or temporary .

[gabrielle]

I would not ask or expect a friend to walk an extra mile for me :). Your writings are like riddles, neil. Reading your writings serves
as a mental exercise for me

. Meaning, when i comment on something, it's for my own benefit. The privilege (lol) of you taking

a glimpse of whats inside my complex mind is just incidental. :)

[Alfred Kukitz]

Wonderful piece on friendship and the beauty of breathing similar air.

Regards,
Al

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

This is like my many
friends that have stayed
throughout bad and good times
beautiful piece once again.


Thank you for the
honor of sharing this piece.

God bless Benita

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

You mentioned here the characteristics of a true friend. Great analogies...but most of the things you compare with friendship are things I admire. So, I write this poem here:

Your friendship

is like rain
which comes to wash my pain away

is like sun
which brightens up my day

is like water
which flows in me to give me life

is like fire
which keeps me burning with passion

is like a star
which is distant, but gives me hope and aspiration

is like tree
which gives shades when I want to rest

Yes, it is like zephyr
tenderly silent, always around...

Ayan...medyo mahaba na din comment ko. :)

[NeiL ArandA]

Dhaye when I penned this piece I used symbolism which often herald as a source of something noble and grandeur but these elements and things though they are great in their own rite and rank do have some flaws and limitations. If we compare them to a person or human being they will shortcomings. They can't always live up to everyones expectations. Friendship is like that . They will fail us offend us and forget us sometimes. Regardless we still try to remain true and steadfast to them. Do you know how I compare an old friend ? Its like your most favorite shirt yet has missing buttons . Maybe thats one reason why I'm still here is because everyone I once knew are still around though many have come and gone . The best one are still around like Zephyr blowing and sending refreshing wind with their sweet and encouraging words of friendship . And your one of them ...

[Jamestown]

Fantastic write! Very nice comparisons really enjoyed this piece!
I did one called Emotions that also uses comparative analysis,
great work and b-blessed!

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks JT for checking this out . Ill drop by to read yours . I appreciate your thoughts and input .

[Belle]

If I would speak about friend as a being who is always around I would not use Zephyr as an allusion specifically on the ending part of a poem. Zephyr represents only the West Wind and present only during the spring...In Greek Mythology there are four directional winds : Boreas the North-Wind, Zephryos the West-Wind, Notos the South-Wind, and Euros the East-Wind. They are called The Anemoi.

Nevertheless, I take the poem as a bunch of short quotes in honoring friendship. It is always a blessing to have a friend who is like a wind...

Keep writing and cheers to your friendships.

Belle

[NeiL ArandA]

Its good to know that wind has origin and names in Greek Mythology. If they have name and specific origin then they are akin to a person's personality and character. I have weighed the word air and wind. The wind is the most likely suitable candidate to build my muse character. But I can't use the word wind. It's a collective name or word. There are many kinds of wind. Gale, gust, squall, jet stream, breeze. Some are destructive like the wind that cause typhoon or monsoon, hurricane and tornado or sand storm or harmless as the dust devil. Wind can uproot a house from its foundation, toss a ship or boat like a match box in a rough ocean or down a plane from its flight, takeoff and landing.

[NeiL ArandA]

Air is also all around us. It can exist in a closed space. We can breathe it but not feel it. Its critical to our survival but its almost void of human interaction. Its there with us and around us but its almost or always catatonic. It lacks flow or positive spontaneous contact unless something or someone moves it directly and indirectly.

[NeiL ArandA]

So I have to use the descriptive term of a kind of wind. This one blows soft gentle cool wind. Hence Zephyr is the specific name . It doesn't really come from one location. Its not unidirectional but rotational. Which means it cycles in two directions. The breeze direction is caused by the warming of land and cooling of ocean during the day and vice versa during the night. So we have a cool gentle breeze blowing inland during the night and cool gentle breeze blowing from the ocean during the day. ( The author is leaning more on the characteristic of this wind than its origin or location )

[NeiL ArandA]

This gentle soft breeze is constantly present and all around us. We feel its refreshing caress whenever we come in contact with it or more so when we connect with it. We can withdrew, wall and alienate ourselves but it doesn't stop from blowing. Its always around, always there. And the ones that feel and experience its touch and influence are those who intentionally positions themselves to benefit from its maximum effect. I'm humbled and bless to be the recipient of such generous and thoughtful kindness from its abiding closeness and presence.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"meekly silent, always around"

just like my friend paula...best friends for years...i lost her in 1984...when she died in a fire---today is her birthday...
and her friendship still lives on in my heart.

thanks for this timely write...

jacob

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you Jacob . What à coincidence and timély that is . I think I have read that piece you penned for her in honor of your close friendship . Dont they leave à space in our hearts when we are that close . Appreciate your thoughtful input Jacob .

[Marie]

I understand perfectly. "zephyr" is poetic, and "air" is not.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you Ms Marie for cheching this piece. Air is a serious contender . However air is like having à friend or special someone that is always around but never speak or connects with . The soft gentle brush and caress of the breeze is like à soft refreshing whispher of a friend who is always near .