This week I continue to explore φιλία/philía’ (affectionate regard or friendship). Last week’s depicted platonic love as love that benefits from restraint – from not becoming tainted by carnal intimacy. This time I celebrate friendship that is entirely separate from any form of romantic or erotic desire: true friendship.
This week I’ve formed two polyptotons: “repeated use of one word as different parts of speech or in different grammatical forms”. The first, in line one, is “Friend” as a proper noun and “friendship” as an abstract noun; a proper noun you can feel with your fingers, an abstract noun you feel with your heart. The second polyptoton is “Firm” and “firma”. Although these both have the same meaning, one is an adjective in common use whereas the other is half of a common noun in uncommon use.
Friendly Love Dear Friend, your friendship is a love most true; It’s not a fire ignited when a match Is struck to kindle passions red and blue: Bold flames that will Lust’s fuel fast despatch. Our friendly love is rooted in the earth Rich placenta of Mother Nature’s womb Firm terra firma whose bountiful worth Is brought to light when flora starts to bloom. It flexes like a willow when storms strike As ivy to foundations it clings tight. We’re mutually supportive, we both like To see each other flourish in the light. Love’s not a bugle signal to retreat; It’s music that resounds when we friends meet.