Famous Holiday Poem

Having a close friend is an incredible blessing. It means having someone who’s always there to listen and encourage. In this famous poem by Edgar Guest (1881-1959), he shares of all the great friendship qualities he’d like to return to someone who has displayed them to him. This poem is made up of octaves (eight-line stanzas). It also has a strong sense of structure since most of the stanzas begin with “I’d like to…”

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Edgar is so in touch with his higher self, therefore, bringing a deep resonance from my heart space just thinking of being loved, appreciated, and cherished in such a way! His speaking of...

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Famous Poem

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A Friend's Greeting

By Edgar A. Guest more Edgar A. Guest

I'd like to be the sort of friend
that you have been to me;
I'd like to be the help that you've been
always glad to be;
I'd like to mean as much to you
each minute of the day
As you have meant, old friend of mine,
to me along the way.

I'd like to do the big things
and the splendid things for you,
To brush the gray out of your skies
and leave them only blue;
I'd like to say the kindly things
that I so oft have heard,
And feel that I could rouse your soul
the way that mine you've stirred.

I'd like to give back the joy
that you have given me,
Yet that were wishing you a need
I hope will never be;
I'd like to make you feel
as rich as I, who travel on
Undaunted in the darkest hours
with you to lean upon.

I'm wishing at this Christmas time
that I could but repay
A portion of the gladness
that you've strewn along the way;
And could I have one wish this year,
this only would it be:
I'd like to be the sort of friend
that you have been to me.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Teresa Salcedo
1 year ago

Edgar is so in touch with his higher self, therefore, bringing a deep resonance from my heart space just thinking of being loved, appreciated, and cherished in such a way! His speaking of 'brushing away the gray from the sky and leaving only blue' is remarkable in that I can see his ardor! Put it this way, if there is a man out there like this today, I would enjoy being introduced! (major blushing)

This poem is number seven or eight that I've read so far, and he succeeds brilliantly with his eloquent use of words!

by Hirendra Kumar Meher
2 years ago

In this poem, some of the lines are very reflective and appealing e.g. "to brush the gray out of your skies," "I could rouse your soul the way that mine you've stirred." As a whole, the poem sounds quite attractive.

by Julian Wood
3 years ago

Yes, this is such a lovely poem full of genuine kindness.

by Dark
4 years ago

Same. I am 11-years-old, and I want to be a really good friend to my best friend and be a great girlfriend to my boyfriend.