The mirror of my soul <br />Reflects a thousand spirits. <br />I stand in the void, <br />Grasping to find <br />The lonely image <br />I call myself. <br /> <br />Without you, <br />My friend, <br />It is futile, <br />I realize. <br />Without you, <br />I blind myself <br />To the good in me, <br />Nauseated by the bad— <br />You stomach the bad <br />And feed me the good: <br />You make me whole again. <br /> <br />And therefore, friend, <br />I give you whatever I can <br />In this solemn oath: <br />I promise you not <br />Food aplenty <br />But always a seat <br />At my table. <br />I promise you not <br />Perfect answers <br />But always an ear <br />Ready to listen. <br />I promise you not <br />To make life perfect, <br />But always to live <br />Life with you. <br />I promise you not <br />Eternity, <br />But always to show <br />The beauty ephemeral <br />In every day. <br />This oath I swear to you, <br />And with it, give <br />My most gracious thanks.<br /><br />Adam Maruyama<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-gift-for-a-friend/
