Poetry Blog: Poem 2: A Friend

Poem

A person who will listen and not condemn
Someone on whom you can depend
They will not flee when bad times are here
Instead they will be there to lend an ear
They will think of ways to make you smile
So you can be happy for a while
When times are good and happy there after
They will be there to share the laughter

Do not forget your friends at all
For they pick you up when you fall
Do not expect to just take and hold
Give friendship back, it is pure gold.

About the Author

Gillian Jones made a novel, A Misted Mirror, which was named as joint-winner of the Proverse Prize and was published by Proverse Press, Hong Kong, in November 2011. The book is based on the life of the poet Keith Jones whose career as a language expert with the British Council took him to live in many parts of the world. Gillian met in Tehran where she was sent, also by the British Council, to work in the language centre during the four years leading up to the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Her novel is based on these exciting times, but also the searing contrast when he developed Parkinson's disease and later dementia. It is an exhilarating tribute to the life of a poet and an attempt to square the circle of life, love, loss and where it all leads.

Personal Response

“A Friend” is a poem written by Gillian Jones. In general, the poem talks about what a friend is… what a friend can do for you and what you can do for your friend. It sounds kind of stupid and vague but it’s not. It’s just general knowledge and common sense. The things your friend does reflect or somehow is related to you. Anything he or she says sometimes pertains to you. The actions he or she does affect you. In return, either you give it or not; you should also demonstrate the matters your friend does for you. It’s basically a give and return situation.

The poet does give some cases and situation of what a friend is expected to do; or what most friends do. “A person who will listen and not condemn someone on whom you can depend,” is an example. Everyone wants a friend who will constantly listen to them. A friend who will listen to your side of the story and not give a single attention to what others say is what a genuine peer is. Someone you can depend on is also a bonus. You don’t want a friend who is untrustworthy. You’re just waiting for a disaster to strike. We all want the same characteristics and valuable qualities when looking for a friend.

I chose this poem simply because it precisely describes most of the qualities my very long-closed friend had since. Countless people did me wrong. I don’t want that to happen anymore. I’m taking such precautious approach to people nowadays. It will take time. I just can’t seem to trust anyone in particular these days except for one.

“When times are good and happy there after they will be there to share the laughter,” is my favorite verse in this poem. I chose this verse only because I long for friendships such as this. A type of relationship where it consists most of laughter and not arguments is what I wish for.

TP-Cast/Rhetorical Triangle Analysis

Title: The poem will definitely talk about a friend. Specifically about qualities, characteristics, personality, etc. It doesn't give anymore details about the poem. The title is very short. There can't be any other ideas to come up with.

Paraphrase:
A person who will listen and not disregard
Someone you can trust
They won't run when struggles are present
Instead they'll hear you out
Think of ways to make you smile

So you can be happy for a while
When times are all good and blissful
They will be there to exchange laughter
Don't forget your friend
For they pick you up when you fall
Don't just receive and grasp
Give friendship back, it is pure gold

Connotation:

1. Structure - 2 stanza. 1 stanza with 8 lines and 1 quatrain. Rhyme Scheme -- AABBCCDDEEFF Meter -- Iambic Tetrameter Punctuation -- period.

2. Speaker - A true friend, Audience -- a genuine friend

3. Figurative Language - Allegory (For they pick you up when you fall) Symol (Give friendship back, it is pure gold) Metaphor (Give friendship back, it is pure gold.)

4. Imagery - Hear (They will be there to share the laughter)

5. Repetition - NONE

Attitude:

straightforward, respectful, trustworthy, genuine, incredibly considerate and caring, knowledgeable, self less intentions.

Shifts:
1st stanza: The poet talks about what a genuine friend is. What a genuine should do, what distinguish a person from a real friend to a common friend, and so forth.
2nd stanza (quatrain): It reminds you to not forget who your true friends are for they will pick you up when you fall. The poet also describes that friendship is valuable, it's pure gold.

Title: After reading it again, I have a new knowledge about friendship. This poem gave me an insight on what to expect regarding to finding a real true friend. The poem shortly explains what real friends do and in return, as a friend, it is logically right to give friendship back in return.

Theme:
- Friendship is valuable
- Give and take friendship back.