FRIEND

 

Sterling character, full of grace,
A Ray of sunshine, smiling face.
Good thoughts of him invade my mind
As I know friendship, gentle, kind;
One who asks nothing in compensation
For precious time in conversation.

 

No passion-battles to darken  talks;
No touching hands to ruin our  walks;
No thoughts of sin to turn my  head;
No secret whispers of things  long dead;
No expectation now of “recompense”;
No breach of faith and common sense.

 

Forever grateful, I stay the  ground:
Friendship like this is ever bound
God-blessed, pure, for time   eternal.
Sterling character and smiling   face—
This Ray of sunshine, full of grace.
—Lois Barrett ‘91