You can count them on one hand,
those ones that mean the most
care the most
put up with the most.
You can gather acquaintance like confetti,
but there are always gaps between fingers
where people fall through
and when the wind sweeps by
it will leave you with empty palms.
Those ones who cling on,
who can be counted on one hand
are the ones who’ll scale mountains,
dig beneath oceans,
trek over desert
and parachute in over enemy territory.
All for the sake
of standing in the background
to push you forwards,
when the spotlight seems too bright.
For Brian’s prompt on DVersepoets in tribute to the poet Dave King
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
Writing and Works 
They are a rarity, but truly a blessing.
Indeed.
smiling at that last bit…those willing to step back and let you have the spotlight…that def captures it…and those friends that really touch us, they are rare…and when times get tough you find who they are…
That is certainly true.
Brian has summed the poem up well Carol, I enjoyed it very much. those loyal trusted friends are worth so much and to be treasured always.
Indeed. I’m incredibly lucky that I have found a number of wonderful, loyal friends so young. The illustrator for the writing and works is one of my oldest friends and we consider each other more like sisters than anything else.
ah that made me smile…those that fight so hard and work through different times and then are ok to have someone else all the spotlight glimmer (cause they’re not made for it – or cause friendship is more important..) rare indeed..
Very rare, but so easily taken for granted.
Just beautiful words of what a real friend is…Lovely!
Thank you.
Those friends are rare.. love the imagery of those slipping between the fingers. brilliant-
Thank you.
I like this very much. The imagery of acquaintances slipping through fingers like too much confetti, blown away at the slightest breeze while true friends do all and more. Only one hand needed for friends like that. Very well put.
(A couple of typos. Extra o on ‘too bright’. s missing on ‘ones’ in third stanza. Spot the teacher, eh? I’d rather know, myself. I find myself going into posts a lot to edit ‘cos I just didn’t see typos at the time. Constantly having to update once published. Only ever notice once it’s gone. Hope you don’t mind me saying. 😉 x
I don’t mind at all. I always seem to miss something no matter how many times I go over work. It always helps to have readers who are confident enough to point out my mistakes. Feel free to point out as many typos as you like.
What do you teach?
Phew!.
I teach primary school. Ages 4 -12. Not all at the same time, thank God! 😉 x
OH! MY! GOD! This is just absolutely perfect. I LOVE it! YES! That is it, exactly.
Thank you.