A Friend's Greeting

 

Petie Barre

A Friend's Greeting

By Edgar Guest

Art by Lennart Helje

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.