Reeling from sentiments said by a friend  
whom I've known for thirty years. 
Being so good to me all along,  
working on projects together through the years,  
always able to count on each other no matter what. 
Helping market my poetry, getting me published,  
believing in me whole-heartedly. 
Understanding the poet sensitive side, realizing  
how deeply my spirituality really goes. 
Knowing too, that poems of sadness, emptiness,  
loneliness, abandonment, suicide, are all written 
about not only myself, but people I know and have  
met through years of life. 
Never holding me up to intriguing curiosity, just  
walking alongside of me, trusting, caring, loving  
me and what I do in life. 
Explaining her thoughts to me while acknowledging  
the truths of who I really am. 
An empath, feeling intensely all emotions others  
put out to me, asking for help just by listening  
and being a friend to each individual. 
Never compromising her friendship or what it means  
to her. 
A forthright, truthful, honest, caring person. 
My friend for life.
RoseAnn V. Shawiak
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-true-friend-always/