Kindred Spirit
With the global pandemic and recommended quarantine, I have found a deeper respect for the digital friendships and connections in my life. Most especially, the good friends I have made here at WordPress. It made me realize that nearness is not a requirement to establish, nurture, or appreciate friendships with people you have never met.
I want to take the opportunity to thank all my readers, followers, and dear friends who so consistently keep me inspired, engaged, and loved. To my dear friends here, I have written the following poem to illustrate that any physical distance between us means little to the depth of our friendship. May you always be blessed, as I am blessed by your friendship!
How do you find a good friend and true?
When does one become the sum of two?
Must one be lesser and genuflect,
For two equals to deeply connect?
Can kinship be found at great distance?
Is space between any resistance?
Can we find a way for us to care,
Though we will never breathe the same air?
Do our years or paths hold any sway?
Are boundaries torn down by what we say?
Can two sets of eyes see the same scene,
And share the differences between?
Where is the shared bond of human touch?
Does a comforting word mean as much?
What kind of respect does it command,
If we are unable to shake hands?
Can two minds choose to just keep it real?
Do only words carry what they feel?
Then how, by you, my life inspired,
If proximity is required?
Where does a true kindred spirit lie?
When does friend become prefaced by ‘my’?
I hope you know for eternity,
It happened when you befriended me.
commonsensiblyspeaking 
This is sooo beautiful. It’s been wonderful knowing you. ❣️💕💞🤗🤗😘
Thank you, Shreya! Our friendship is such a pleasure to me. I love watching you grow as a writer! ❤💕❣😘🤗🥰
Thank you so much Brad! 🤗🤗🤗🤗😘😘😘🥰🥰💕💕💕💕❣️
I’m in love with your works 😍 I wish I can play with words like you do
Thank you, Matt! What a kind thing to say. I am not sure why you think you cannot express your self in the same way. Writing is like anything else. A commitment of time, a love for words, and a willingness to openly express yourself is all that is needed. All the polish and prettiness comes with practice. Don’t sell yourself short. You don’t know what you can do till you try. 😊
But I find it hard to put my ideas to words. Like things are just better in my head and when I write them, I just can’t find the right words. Then I’d end up frustrated. This is how it works for me most of the time. And I express things better using visuals and I do better in academic writing. But I love creative writing, it’s just that I can’t invest so much time to it ’cause I’m working in my degree and it demands so much time. Thanks for the advice though 😊
Ah, yes, the demands of academia can impede on having time to write. And I understand the frustration when your words will not bend to your will. But time is only an impedance if you have a deadline. Pick one subject. Write it out just letting your thoughts flow from your head. Then revisit it on occasion and begin to edit and polish it. It sometimes takes me months to complete a poem and they all start out a little rough. Form poetry requires the work of rhyme, meter, and length. But open poetry or prose has no such restrictions and can be just as beautiful. Just keep writing and you will find your best method of expression. Remember, it has taken me about two of your lifetimes to become a poet. And even that is a self-imposed title. Best wishes with whatever you do! 😁
Yes, that’s my problem, I rush things. When I write, I want to get it done at once. But you’re right, I should take my time. Thank you so much! I hope you inspire more people 😊
Thank you, Matt! If I can inspire one person, I will feel that it has been a life well spent.
Your presence here is a comfort to me , Brad. I consider you my friend. I so believe all the things you mentioned in your verse. Thank you for your words of appreciation and encouragement, I really need to hear them.
Blessings and peace to you and yours.
Thank you, Yasmin! You are a good friend! I have been encouraged and inspired by you in so many ways, ever since my return to writing. Your words, shared so beautifully here, always touch my heart. I receive your gift of blessings and peace, and return them to you ten fold! ❤
Likewise , Brad.
Bless you Brad. The closeness is nice but I pray that things are back to normal soon. 🤔
I hear you! I am hoping along with you!
After too long of a quarantine, we may become conditioned.
Conditioning will not win out against human nature. We crave and need the love and caring offered in human touch. It is inescapable!
Beautifully written
Thank you!
Awww, your words are so touching, they moved me to tears! It’s an amazing feeling when you find people you connect with. And you share common interests, or understand each other, sometimes on a very deep level. I am often baffled as to why, especially those who don’t know me personally, would want to take the time to read my work and get to know me, thank you for being one of those people. You’re always so kind, supportive, and inspiring. I appreciate you so much!! Thanks for sharing this beautiful poem! 🥰❤😍😘🤗💋
The friendship we share is not easily rationalized, but it is a blessing and comfort to me every day! You know how I feel about you and I promise you always will. ❤🥰💕😘💋
I am blessed beyond measure that I get to call you my friend. There’s a poem I love so much, it’s called Quantam Entanglement. I referenced it twice in some of my older poetry. Anyway, I’ll send it to you. A part of me believes it, how some souls are made from the same stars. Maybe it’s possible that my particles & your particles have been dancing for centuries. 🤯❤
Wow! That is a beautiful analogy! I look forward to reading it. It would explain that old familiar feeling. 🤯💕
You’ve got mail. 😁
What a wonderful tribute to friendship, Brad. You are such a good person and such a good friend that no wonder so many people befriend you here. You are a fantastic human being. I am prod to consider myself one of your friends.
The poem is so beautiful and the finale stole my heart
“I hope you know for eternity,
It happened when you befriended me. ”
Have a splendid day my friend
G.
Gabriela, you have always been a huge supporter and dear friend. There are wonderfully beautiful places to be found and you have held my hand down the path every day. You are more than a friend, for you are also a mentor, a muse, and an inspiration. Stay well, my poetess!
Oh, Brad, thank you. Please know that I feel the same about you.
Stay well my darling poet. How is your motorcycle doing?
It’s sad today because it’s raining here 🏍😪😥😟🌧
Oh, I am sorry to hear. Sending you some sunshine 🙂
it is truly my pleasure
Au contraire, it is all mine, Beth!
Another beautiful poem from you Brad, and I feel like you’re starting to get the fans that you deserve. You’re a kind and gentle soul. ;P Don’t think that I’ve forgotten about our poetry project! I am now practically finished with all of my academic work and I want to begin collaborating again very soon especially with all of this extra time off. P.s. Loved the picture you chose for this 😉
Mathew, my brother, you are gracious with your praise. I have not forgotten about us working together again. Our last work together was a joy to create. Glad to hear classes are finishing, and I appreciate the generosity of your time. I certainly thought of you when I chose the picture and with each word I wrote. Thanks for being such a great friend and supporter! Much love! 🐺
Much love buddy and same to you for being such a great blog friend. If I ever tour through America we will need to grab a coffee or a beer one day.
Agreed
to echo Mathew’s words, another beautiful poem. I appreciate the friendship that we have created simply through WordPress, and you are correct, perhaps proximity is not needed for such friendships to grow. Have a great day!
More so with you, Jim! You have a neighborly feel because I know you are only a bit more than an hour away. We not only share the same generation, but some of the same streets too. And you have always been a steadfast supporter of my efforts. Your perspective, humor, intelligence, and genuine kindness has always added to my journey. I am glad to have that connection with you!
you have been a supporter and inspiration to me as well. if you are ever in the area, Pat and I would welcome the opportunity to meet you in person!
Wouldn’t miss the chance. Thank you for the invitation!
sound great!
“Where does a true kindred spirit lie?
When does friend become prefaced by ‘my’?
I hope you know for eternity,
It happened when you befriended me.” So true and so beautifully put Brad. I couldn’t agree more with your words. I too, feel blessed by my friends on WordPress and you explained the relationships so thoughtfully in your poem. What a lovely thing to do this morning as well. My best friend lives outside of Seattle so I know what you mean about the distance issue. Thanks so much for your extremely thoughtful post. Love, hugs, blessing and prayers for health coming your way. Joni
Thank you, Joni! You have always been a generous and genuine friend! 💕
You are so welcome my friend. It was so kind of you to write a poem which dedicates your feelings of friendship for so many – me included, I am so happy and grateful to say. Love and hugs and thank you for your beautiful poem again. ❤️💕😘🥰
An observation I’ve made in the past year is the enormous amount of support and kinship in the writing/blogging world. I made many friendships through my previous work in education and felt that same spirit. It is a microcosm of the way a respectful society should aspire to.
Well said, Pete. Thanks for all your support!
You are a great friend and my friend, I must say, and I am grateful to these formats online where distances mean nothing and where communication means so much. Closeness does not have to be physical, it can be online. You have written something very beautiful and very meaningful. You have taken us on a journey through images of friendship of closeness and of love and I certainly appreciate it. Thank you Brad, great writing!
Stay well and my greetings from Spain (although far away it is as close as a post on WP)
Francisco
Your dear friendship and undying support are the most easily seen blessings of the connection we have developed and share. I am lucky to be able to call you my friend! Your words, music, and art add to the beauty of my life!
The feeling is mutual Brad! Thank you!
This is beautiful. Cyber hugs to you, Brad. I count myself fortunate to know you. 😘
I am the lucky one, Ms. Grant! You have been a constant supporter and a beloved muse! ❤
😘