Friends - Bruce Dawe

I cannot think of where I’d be,
With whom, or how I’d fare
If in my life (mysteriously)
Believing friends weren’t there.

But take away that goodness I
Found in them from the start
And the wells of my life would all run dry
And the bloodstream of the heart.

The meals of faith before me placed
Variously I’ve tasted,
– None were bitter to my taste,
Nor all those meal-times wasted.

Jesus has mostly come by way
Of just such loving friends,
On whose awareness, day by day,
I know my life depends.

Each friend by living handed me
Their testament of care
Whose scriptures often unconsciously
I’ve breathed in with the air.

It should never be seen that thanks were due
For what I’ve said or done
Thank rather to those who did pursue
Through their own lives, the Son …

That Son who through his life did give
Beatitudinal sight
To those who, hearing, seeing, live
By his redeeming light.

Full credit, then, where credit’s due,
(Of a kind not found in banks)
Where it seems it’s up to me and you
In our lives to live our thanks.

For, as at the Lord’s last supper, too
(The supper that never ends),
Like Jesus did, each one of you
Has counted me among your friends.