When we feel good about recognizing qualities similar

Sometimes we make up lists of people who are familiar

Who make it clear to us they enjoy our good company

And so we're all too happy to have them with us be



It doesn't matter whatever their status or their gender

For every one of them is a precious gem who lend their

Extra special qualities whenever they come by to visit

For they have much to share with us and this makes it



Wonderful to have them aboard and helping solve problems

For each one has something concrete to add to the motion

Of fluid ideas and sharing of warm and helpful suggestions

Which do flow into the mix and thus give us all the notion



That humanity on the whole is inherently good and willing

To be honest with each other and thus we are all tilling

In the same fields of love as we go about reaping harvest

For every one of us wants so much to be part of the largest



Pool of kindness, thoughtfulness, goodness and generosity

For then we rekindle all of the fires which were lost at the

Beginning of time or associations into which we did enter

When we were blind to the passions which we did engender



So stop! ... Look back, and make well your very own list

Of those who endeared themselves as you caught the gist

And then make mental notes of all those qualities above

Which turned you on with ample great thoughts of love  



And then when you have compiled it carefully with thought

Go back through and make sure there is nothing distraught

Which makes you wonder with any doubt about any of these

And then whittle it down until there are only the trees



The ones who took root and then who grew quite gradually

For those are gems who will always be there to please

And then remember the others who may not have hit it off

Initially - for they were on other islands as they scoffed



But then, they turned around and did make themselves known

By always being there and treating you as tho on a throne

These friends too can mean so much in the overall picture

For they share much with you and thus add great tincture



And help you plan out this massive painting of a mural

Which is so involved and intricate, it loses the usual

Fillers of background which does don so very many walls

For all of it together, does represent great love of all.



- Tristram