Joshua

A tribute to the greatest platonic friend a girl ever had.

Joshua, we walked again today

Along that shadowy street within my mind

One of those pilgrimages to nowhere

But the words we so needed to share

With the only one who'd understand

 

When we were not chasing chemical highs

To find naught but depressive lows

We lived in our own private language

Shuffled spent into my house at sunrise

To lie together in a way none understood

 

Joshua, you taught me what I should need

In any lover, or any friend that I shall find

For we enjoyed a simple loving bond

Stronger than what most are capable of

Understanding beneath burden of passion

 

I remember that day when we tried to kiss

Because they all thought that we should

Our friends and former lovers, so envious

That we could have a simple love, unfettered

But we laughed so loud- they wouldn't understand

 

Joshua, you told me I was the one light

In a world of darkness and I wanted

To let those words make me believe

We were two silver chains linked for eternity

By the ions only you and I understood

 

We changed, and nothing? lasts forever

Not even friendship, or so they say

And so we set out on different paths

After years of traveling through life

Together, seeking hope, faith, understanding

 

Joshua, my beloved boy who was a friend

For years within my mind you've remained

Sauntering down the quiet street beside me

Ah! you shall until I see the final sliver, as life sets

And I'm trying now to understand the why...

 

Friends can't stay just friends forever

If they've become a woman and a man

Needful of more than "just a friend"

Oh, we knew we weren't meant for "more"-

And knew our physical lovers wouldn't understand

 

Joshua, the love that we had is only

Sanctioned to be between children and kin

For most of society feels platonic connections

Alone cannot really be shared by souls like ours...

Which leads me to conclude: I'll never understand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

This poem was written in memory of a friendship that lasted from 15 to 20, with a boy I kissed once before we agreed we were meant to simply be best friends. We shared most of our waking hours together, and sometimes slept side by side in a platonic way. Our lives finally took different paths. Today, I reread a story I'd included him in, and really thought back on how wonderful it was to have that kind of friend. I have the world's greatest friend now, in my soulmate, but Joshua... I will always miss.

Reviews

[C.T. Bailey]

As I read this, please forgive, I have to confess that I was jealous...I have never had that kind of relationship with someone. It seems that people have only concerned themselves with "taking" something from me. And afterwards...I am left holding nothing but a memory. This was remarkable. Again, I actually was longing to feel that, that sincere love of each other that you had. This sounds silly...but the closest thing that I can liken this to....is the way my dog loves me. lol. My dad always said that NOTHING could ever love you like a dog. Dad was right. Joshua. Very nice.
Todd

[Emunah June.]

Great!

[Emily Elizabeth]

This reminds me somewhat of a woman called Ysabella Brave on youtube, who wrote a song called 'James' about her brother and this reminds of that song. This nearly brought tears to my eyes. I don't quite know what to say! This is a lovely poem, but words can't describe it... I love how you've addressed this directly to him, it makes it more personal. I've got a friend like that- this boy I grew up with, his mum was my child minder from 18 months to elven years old. It's a shame society puts so much pressure on every tiny little thing, moulding it and warping it out of proportion. I hope one day you two meet up and rekindle your friendship!

[JC]

Joshua means "God's Chosen", perhaps he was chosen to be your friend in a time of one's life that is so full of questions. I understand the ache that you have, to have that one person who understands you, and accepts you without question. My best friend, that I had through childhood and high school, and I drifted apart when we both went away to college. I miss her everyday, and wish we could reconnect somehow.

This reads like a letter and flow is perfect.
Great Tribute. JC