‘Talking to You’ by: Poonam

{Friendship Day special Prose+Poetry}

Dost, Sakha, Bandhu, Mitra, Rafik, Amigo, Viend, etc., are synonyms for ‘Friend’ in different languages. After a mother, a friend is the only person you can rely on for selfless love and support. Friendship comes into our lives at an early age. This is the first relationship we establish on our own, coming out of the comforts of the family. No one can dictate whether we should befriend a particular person or not befriend another on the basis of religion, financial status, gender etc. because it is solely guided by the heart.

“Philia” refers to the love for a friend, encompassing all types of love found in other relationships. A friend can be like a mother in their compassion, like a father in their strictness, like a sibling in their trustworthiness, like a teacher in their guidance, like a lover in their care, like a life partner in their companionship, and like a child in their playfulness. A friend can even be your protector, your biggest supporter, your greatest fan, and your safe haven. Friendship is like a diamond, adorned with many facets. A simple chat with a friend can have a therapeutic effect on your mind and help put your life back on track. While it won’t magically solve all your problems, it can ease your pain, bring clarity, and support you emotionally.

According to C. S. Lewis, “To the Ancients, Friendship seemed the happiest & most fully human of all loves, the crown of life & the school of virtues. The modern world, in comparison, ignores it. Why? Perhaps we know it’s the most time-consuming, the least celebrated, and the one we could live without. Perhaps too, few value it because few experience it.” I believe this to be the reason behind all the chaos & mental health issues that are prevailing & increasing at a subsequent rate. “When all other relationships fail, Friendship comes to the rescue”. Read that again & let it sink in. Henceforth, humanity must recognize the significance of this unconditionally loving bond & encourage their children to create healthy human connections through friendship.

Subsequently, if you have someone like this in your life, don’t shrink. Call or text them & let them know how lucky you are to have them. Just like I am doing by sharing the following poem dedicated to my dearmost friend, whom I rarely get to see in person but the sheer magic of their amiable phone calls adds melody to my ears. May our friendship be blessed with a long & healthy life. Happy Friendship Day!

🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋🌼🎋

Talking to you is as simple as breathing,
as light as walking on clouds.
Talking to you is fragrant, like geeli mitti ki khushboo,
it’s whispering when everything is loud.

Talking to you is not measuring my words,
not wearing a mask.
Talking to you is like dancing in the rain,
it’s grace, a symphony & not a task.

Talking to you is feeling the breeze,
& looking at the sky.
Talking to you is meeting,
& never saying goodbye.

Talking to you is like smelling a rose,
& sitting in the stream.
Talking to you is earthing, flying,
espying the Sun’s gleam.

Talking to you is like a night sky;
starry, silent & glowing moon.
Talking to you is like sitting alone,
but not feeling forlorn.

Talking to you is listening to music,
reciting poetry,
& living in a dream.
Talking to you is sumptuous, like maa ke haath ka khana,
savouring chocolate & doing sadhana.

Talking to you is a blessing, amigo,
it’s breaking all norms.
Talking to you is finding my voice,
& coming back home.

Talking to you is like a hug,
a kiss on the forehead,
a laugh never laughed,
& hands caressed.
Talking to you is not a part of life but life itself,
Talking to you is more than words can express.
~Poonam