A series of essays and poetry,,,,
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RED ROSE: IT’S THE ROSE OF ROMANCE AND DEEP FEELINGS BUT CAN RELAY DESIRE, BEAUTY, VICTORY, HARMONY, JOY, LUCK AND PRIDE |
….as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
Friendship can touch a multitude of lives in many different ways. It may have a slightly different meaning for each person involved, but, for the most part, being friendly towards one another, kind and loving, is the preferred attitude in life and so many people are newly discovering the innate beauty of this philosophy.
The poetry class I attend twice a month is entitled Voices on the Margin. May I say that this group of eight strong women, evolving from various educational backgrounds and careers, take extreme pride in revealing our own strengths and weaknesses, knowing that we will always be listened to by one another.
We will not be belittled or bullied no matter what we have to contribute to the group. And, conveniently, we learn about other poets (women and men, past and present) their writing styles and content and attempt to emulate them via our own poetry as best we can.
I find complete joy in reading our own poems out loud to the group and embracing the feedback conjured up by their fertile minds and taking away, if we desire it, their changes. We write, we learn, we respond, and we offer encouragement.
With our wedding anniversary coming up this Sunday, lifelong friendship has piqued my interest yet again in relating to decades of sharing big feelings together; appreciating individual opinions and the coziness of sharing them with one another along this amazing journey.
I dedicate this poem to my life partner and hope that others will realize that friendship can be the glue in a cohesive force that allows for controversial opinions, change, time, and understanding to shine through:
No Matter What Happens 💞
I respect that you’re going through difficult times.
Not feeling yourself? Haven’t showered in a week? Don’t worry.
You are appreciated for who you are. Come what may.
I want you to know that I am a safe place for you.
So, laugh yourself silly, exaggerate the ugly cry and never
feel judged by me. I love you in every way.
I accept and honor your controversial opinions. It doesn’t
matter if we agree or not, I’m here for your unedited thoughts
because we both will grow smarter, stronger. Come what may.
I understand when you let yourself be you. Be funny, be crazy,
be loud, be obnoxious. I will love you more for the loudness
and always cheer your enthusiasm for life.
I want you to know that age is only a number. If we figure it out,
hold hands, walk down the same path with heads held high,
the future will be comforting. Come what may.
I keep trying to understand where you are coming from. It would be
a pleasure to have you skip, hop, and jump back into my life. Know
that I am your cheerleader—be brave.
I want all of you to feel free to be yourselves around me. Do what you
do. Be funny, crazy, tired, loud, opinionated, talented. Luxuriate
in all of your big feelings. Own them and never look back.
Come what may.
Jacqueline E Hughes 9-09-24
Each stanza refers to one person or another who has entered my life, made it a little bit better, and has changed my perspective as to why I even exist. That’s definitely powerful. This poem reflects the years that flash by all of us and profusely change our lives in an instant.
Not wanting to allow myself to change the flow of big feelings of anyone else, I insist that you, my friend, not change yourself for my sake. I encourage your boisterous laughter, opinions that don’t match my own, holding hands as we slowly walk into old age, exaggerate your ugly cry in dark times, and experience profound joy in good times.
To my dear husband of 51 years: through our many ups and downs, via joy and sadness, playfulness and laughter—please know that the bond we share together will always be strong no matter what happens, come what may.
Copyright © 2024 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
