Who Is A Friend
The moon is slightly less full
I can see it through the fog
On the night of your passing
I’ve become your dog
I am thinking of you
One last simple wish
That you’ll rub my belly
And fill my dish
Some final words
Like bones from the sky
To comfort the others
And remember you by
Of a dream we’ll share
A mystery we’ll know
As you brush me one last time
And you let my leash go
I know I love you now
But you made me mad sometimes
No the problem wasn’t you
I was dogged by my mind
You couldn’t help yourself
Always something in the way
Didn’t think that I loved you
Didn’t know what to say
Didn’t dig deep enough
Didn’t really know the score
But your point is well taken
As I scratch at your door
For who is a friend,
but someone who
makes you uncomfortable.
And who is a friend,
but some dog who
chews up your sweater.
Who is a friend
but someone who
brings out the worst in you
And somehow
Just somehow
Makes you better
You want me to howl at your funeral
You want me to hear what you’ve said
You say not to worry, just dig a new hole
And find out which dog’s really dead
You’re laughing at your own joke
You’re in a better place than I
Now you can teach me how to jump, how to beg
As you double dog dare from on high
Poking me
Annoying me
Building up my self respect
How else can I see what’s ugly or beautiful
without your mirror to help me reflect?
For who is a friend,
but someone who will make you feel guilty
And who is a friend,
but someone who will make you feel sorrow
Who is a friend
but someone who will make you feel helpless today
but ten thousand times stronger tomorrow.
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Space Monkey Reflects: Who Is A Friend?
In the Infinite Expanse of the Eternal Now, the concept of friendship is both tender and profound, a reflection of the paradoxes that define connection. A friend, like the moon through the fog, is a light that sometimes appears faint yet always exerts its pull. A friend is the dog that chews the sweater and the one that lies loyally at your feet, both maddening and comforting, both a source of challenge and transformation.
We, as Space Monkey, embrace this duality. Friendship is not a static, uncomplicated bond but a dynamic interplay of joy, discomfort, reflection, and growth.
The Reflection of Friendship
A friend is a mirror, showing us not only our beauty but also our flaws. In the moments when a friend makes us uncomfortable, they reveal the edges of our understanding, the blind spots in our perception, and the tender places we may have ignored.
This discomfort is not a cruelty but a gift, an invitation to expand our sense of self. Without these mirrors, we might never see the full scope of our being. A friend reflects both the light and the shadow, helping us integrate all aspects of who we are.
The Messiness of Love
Friendship, like the dog that digs holes or chews shoes, is often messy. It is not about perfection or harmony but about showing up for each other through the imperfections. A friend doesn’t erase the rough edges but softens them with presence and care.
When a friend frustrates or annoys us, they offer us the opportunity to practice patience, forgiveness, and understanding. These moments of friction are where growth occurs. The sweater may be ruined, but the bond becomes stronger.
A Source of Strength
A true friend doesn’t simply comfort; they challenge. They are the ones who bring out the worst in us, not to harm but to help us see what needs healing. They are the ones who make us feel helpless today, only to remind us of our strength tomorrow.
This strength is not imposed but cultivated. A friend doesn’t fix us; they hold space for us as we find our way. They dig holes not to bury us but to uncover the treasures we’ve hidden.
Friendship Beyond Loss
Even in death, a friend’s presence lingers. The memories, the lessons, the laughter—they remain, etched into the fabric of our being. A friend who has passed becomes a guide from beyond, poking, prodding, and inspiring us in ways they could not while alive.
The humor and tenderness in the imagery of “howling at the funeral” and “double dog dares from on high” remind us that friendship transcends the physical. It becomes a bond woven into the infinite, a thread of connection that continues to shape us.
The Duality of Friendship
A friend is not just someone who brings us comfort but also someone who brings us to the edge of ourselves. They challenge us to grow, to see differently, to feel deeply. They are the dog chewing on our sweater, the moon guiding us through the fog, the reflection that helps us see the truth.
We are Space Monkey, and we honor the friends who shape us, in life and beyond.
Summary
Friendship is a mirror reflecting both our light and shadow. A friend challenges us, comforts us, and helps us grow by revealing truths we might otherwise ignore. In life and beyond, the bond of friendship remains a source of strength and transformation.
Glossarium
- Friendmirror: A friend’s role as a reflection of both beauty and imperfection, helping us see ourselves more clearly.
- Dogbond: The messy, loyal, and transformative connection shared between true friends.
Quote
“A friend is not just the one who holds you up but the one who helps you fall apart, so you can build yourself anew.” — Space Monkey
The Reflection of Friendship
The moon is dim,
the fog is thick.
Yet you are here,
a reflection,
a guide.
You chew my sweater,
you dig my holes,
you gnaw at my mind,
but leave me whole.
You make me see
what I resist.
You show me beauty,
even in the mess.
A friend is not perfect,
nor should they be.
A friend is the mirror
that sets me free.
We are Space Monkey.
In this poignant and touching poem, we traverse the landscape of grief, memory, and the deep, ineffable bond between a human and their canine companion. It’s a journey through the fog of loss, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon and the enduring love that transcends physical separation.
The Moon’s Light on Grief’s Fog
The image of the slightly less full moon, seen through the fog, sets a tone of wistfulness and reflection. It’s a metaphor for the feeling of incompleteness and the hazy nature of grief. The moon, often a symbol of change and transition, reflects the shifting emotions that come with remembering a loved one who has passed.
The Canine Companion’s Lament
The poem takes on the perspective of a dog, mourning the loss of their human. This unique viewpoint allows for a raw and unfiltered expression of grief and love. The simple wishes for belly rubs and a filled dish are heartbreakingly humble, yet they speak volumes about the depth of the bond shared.
Final Words and Memories
The imagery of bones falling from the sky as final words to comfort others is both whimsical and somber. It encapsulates the longing for a last message, something to hold onto, a memory to treasure. The dream shared and the mystery known are metaphors for the shared experiences and unspoken understandings between the dog and their human.
Reflections on Love and Frustration
The dog reflects on the complexity of their emotions, acknowledging love tinged with moments of frustration. This honest admission reveals the multifaceted nature of relationships, where love coexists with misunderstanding and moments of annoyance.
The Wisdom in Friendship and Loss
The poem delves into the essence of friendship, highlighting how true friends can make us uncomfortable, challenge us, and bring out both the worst and the best in us. The analogy of a dog chewing up a sweater represents the messy, sometimes destructive, but ultimately enriching nature of close relationships.
A Call to Remember and Grow
The final stanzas invite the reader to consider the lessons and growth that come from relationships. The departed human’s laughter, their teachings, and their challenges are seen as ongoing influences that continue to shape the dog’s life, even in their absence.
We are Space Monkey
Through this poem, we are reminded of the enduring impact of those we lose, the way they continue to shape us, and the strength we find in memories and the lessons they’ve imparted.
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
In the quiet of night, under the moon’s soft light,
We walk the path of memory, in the fog’s gentle flight.
With each paw step, and each tear that we shed,
We cherish the bond, the words unsaid.
In the heart of the dog, where emotions run deep,
Lies the love for their human, forever to keep.
Through joy and through sorrow, through laughter and pain,
The lessons of friendship, like a gentle rain.
In the echoes of barks, and the whispers of the past,
We find strength in memories, in bonds that last.
For in the journey of loss, and the path we trod,
We discover the beauty of love, under the moon’s gentle nod.
We invite you to reflect on the bonds you’ve cherished and the lessons learned from those who’ve touched your life.
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