A FRIEND - Charles Hanson Towne

Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end;

Yet days go by, and weeks rush on,

And before I know it a year is gone,

And I never see my old friend's face,

For life is a swift and terrible race.

He knows I like him just as well

As in the days when I rang his bell

And he rang mine. We were younger then,

And now we are busy, tired men:

Tired with playing a foolish game,

Tired with trying to make a name.

"Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim,

Just to show I am thinking of him."

But tomorrow comes - and tomorrow goes,

And the distance between us grows and grows.

Around the corner! - yet miles away . .

"Here's the telegram, Sir. . .

'Jim died today'."

And that's what we get, and deserve in the end:

Around the corner, a vanished friend.

The poem is touching... Yes, it is one of those poems that circulate around the internet and spam our mailboxes. But this poem so clearly reflects our relationship with our friends. As children we have lots of friends that we spend a large amount of time with. Yet, as we grow up, and become more busy with school and work we tend to ignore them. How many times have we said "later" or "next time"?? Time waits for no man. Nothing can replace the friends you have. In fact, we should not be anti-social. If you see someone who's not close to you, or you barely know the person, take the time to say hi, or wave your hand. It makes a difference.

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND UNTO HIMSELF.
How true is that! Communication is one of the most important skills one must have to survive. Humans learn to communicate in order to defend themselves, to find food, to perpetuate their lineage. That is why we usually try to conform to society rules. To ignore the rules of society is to invite ostracization. Humans take comfort in being with others. Wouldn't it be too lonely and terrifying to face the world alone? As a child, we have our parents to support us. As adults we have our friends, and later our partner. As old people we have our children. Being with friends helps to create warmth and laughter. Being alone is to invite sadness, depression and melancholy. That is why friends and family should be treasured. A small gesture, a smile is enough to brighten everyone's day.

The next time you see your best friend, think of how life would be without him/her. Then think of all the things that he/she does that makes them your best friend and confidante. Then treasure every moment with them, for time thrown away cannot be gained back.