I would say we’re like Damon and Pythias,
but that would get me beat up at recess
for reading unassigned books.
My father called us Mutt and Jeff,
which I had to look up in the library,
before the Internet was a thing.
I know I’m just the sidekick
and you’re the leading man.
You always get the girl,
all the girls. I guess I’m the Spock
to your Kirk, the Luke to your Han
and I’m comfortable with the role.
When I summarized Lord of the Rings
for you, reading was my thing, not yours,
and this was long before the movies,
I knew my moment would come,
just like it did for Samwise Gamgee
carrying Frodo up Mount Doom.
And it did that winter night you drank
too much and I lugged you home
on my bicycle under frigid stars.
Eventually, I left for college.
You stayed in town, raised a family,
lived a life but with our fiftieth reunion
looming, I guess it’s time for me to return.
Just like Pythias.
For today’s prompt, write a friend poem. Your poem could be about a friend, explore your behavior as a friend, or even question the entire enterprise of friendship. Of course, there are the friends you have today, but maybe you have old friends or “acquaintances” (who maybe don’t rise to the standard of “friend”). And there’s nothing wrong with looking at the friendships of other people, whether they’re famous, infamous, or known only to your specific social circle. So get friendly with your poems today, whether your friends are real or imaginary.
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 