Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THREE FRIENDS, by VIRGINIA SCOTT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THREE FRIENDS, by                    
First Line: Many the friends you name
Last Line: Thrust in my side.
Alternate Author Name(s): O'neill, Virginia Scott
Subject(s): Hope; Pride; Youth; Optimism; Self-esteem; Self-respect


Many the friends you name;
I have but three --
Three ever-present friends
Suffice well for me.

First friend I chose was Pride
That is -- unless --
Perhaps her other name
Was just Loneliness.

Next friend I sought was Hope
Only to find
I'd named her Longing
Somehow in my mind.

Youth will not stay, I know,
Yet, so I chose.
But -- Youth and Love are one
As lonely Age knows.

Only three friends I have.
Pride lives alone.
Folks whisper "Loneliness",
Naming this crone.

Hope is an errant friend,
Always desires
Queer things her other self,
Longing, inspires.

Youth is the worst of all,
Drives me to passion --
Pride seeks to turn away,
Such is her fashion.

Youth ever urges: "On!"
Pride calls me back,
Longing often keeps me
High on torture's rack.

Only three friends I boast.
I strive to hide
Thorns which they playfully
Thrust in my side.





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