
Come in
don’t stand dithering at the doorway
I leave the door ajar for friends
who knows when one might want to drop in
I can offer a shoulder to cry on
an ear for gossip
a cup of tea to soothe frayed nerves
a meal to satisfy stomach and soul
and some lame jokes to make you laugh.
Don’t
be dismayed by the clutter around
nor if the beds are unmade
and the laundry all piled up
I am taking a break
from being presentable all the time
I prefer to be present these days.
I know
dropping in is not easy always
so you can call me any time
one can always drop everything for friends
at times all one needs is a listener
or to listen to a voice that cares.
And
of course there is always social media
to get in touch with
or when you just want to know
that reaching out is possible
although you are not in a mood
to do so right then.
But
I will still keep my door ajar
it is the doorway to kinship
for I don’t want to miss the opportunity
that I might have with you.
For
at the end of the day
It is friends who make
intangible difference to life
so don’t hesitate at the doorway
come right in.
https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2021/11/15/what-do-you-see-108-november-15-2021/
Sadje, another one for you.
A beautiful take on the prompt. Nicely penned warmth. Cheers
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Thanks so much, Suzette and cheers!
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My pleasure😊
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Friends are always welcome! This is beautiful❤
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Thanks a lot, Shreya. ❤️
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You’re welcome
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“A friend in need is a friend indeed”: you put your finger on it, Punam. Friendship is an open door whatever the season. Frank and friendly, this poem made my heart sing! And that’s not clutter, that’s life.😀🧡❤️💛💜
pax,
dora
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Thanks so much, Dora! Friends are so precious, isn’t it. I apologise for the delay in response, your comment has landed in spam! 😔
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It does that sometimes, I must check mine now. 🙂
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It isa good idea to check it from time to time. 🙂
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Lovely poem, Ma’am. Oozing with warmth. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Aishwarya. 😊❤️
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I, too, prefer‘present’ over ‘presentable!’ Wonderful poem Punam! ❤️
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Punam, this lovely friendly poem reminds me of the old days when friends dropped by unannounced. ❤ Sometimes they just opened the door and called out, "Hey, Frances! You busy?"
"Oh, hi, Bernice, I just baked some cookies. Come on in!"
Frances, my grandmother, and her sister, Bernice, lived in a small Pennsylvania town, where this was the usual behavior. I never did see Grandma with her bed unmade, though! 🙂
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This is beautiful!
I grew up in a very safe neighborhood where everyone did this. Except our house. My mother had us under lock and key at all times because of some reason only known to her. We could stay out late and play in the streets if we wanted, but the front door was ALWAYS locked. All the doors were. Yet, we were the only house on the block where the whole world would just show up unannounced. They’d never pop their head in (they couldn’t), they’d just step out of their car and yell, Rocky-Style. Whether she had any idea who it was or not, she would open the door and greet them as if they were best friends from grade school. So the reason for the locks never made any sense since the door spent most of its time wide open anyway.
When my ex and I moved into our house, I was a mix between normal people and my mom. We had two locks on the front door, and everyone and their cousin had the key to the bottom lock. We only locked the top when no one was allowed in without calling first (it was rare, but it did happen when we just weren’t up for company). No one but us had the top lock. So people would just unlock the door and come in “hey Marla, you around?” Or they would find out they weren’t invited in at three am when they’d bang their nose on the door because we had the top locked lol
Now my door always stays locked. I’m back in a condo and it’s very safe. I used to not lock it when I lived here the first time, but now there are people with kids across the hall. No, I don’t think their thrives by virtue of their ages, but the one is only 2. There hasn’t been a time that he hasn’t tried to open my door when he passes. He always gets told no by his parents, but they are kind of strange people. Very sweet, but strange.
I was waiting for the elevator and the little boy opened the front door on another unit. The dad told him no, took his hand and walked him away. The daughter asked if she should close the door and he said no, she shouldn’t touch the neighbors stuff. He didn’t close it either. I went and closed it. Thought about locking it, but for all I know the owner ran out side to say hello to someone and her keys were still inside. I just closed it. But kids will be kids (we totally all tried to open every door we passed once we learned how!) and some people are just strange and would leave a front door their kid opened wide open just because…of whatever.
Last time I lived here, there were four units on my floor with kids. I’m not a particularly kid friendly person, but they all seem to like me no matter how I try to get away. I never locked my door because there would always be some random child banging on it if I did. I’d come out of the shower and there’s be a gaggle of kids from all over the floor just watching Sesame Street on my couch. And they always had food. They would bring food from their units so they could watch Sesame Street on my couch. I will never understand it. When I was a kid, I never went to a neighbors house to watch Sesame Street. I went over to visit and they might put it on in the background. But kids are all strange. One kid used to come over just to hang out and do his homework.
That’s the good thing about being the adult with the open door. You get to set rules. If you’re not here to specifically see me, you’re here because you want to be smart. Be smart or go home. They’d bring books, borrow mine, watch public tv, do homework. All sorts of stuff. It annoyed some parents, but they didn’t bother stopping their kids, why lecture me when I’m late for work? Other parents just thanked me and gave me little gifts. Had their kid draw me a picture for my fridge kind of thing.
I don’t know what made me think of this… but your poem brought all of that up. Being neighborly can be nice.
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Marla, I am so sorry for the delay in response. I was away for a fortnight. So wonderful of you to share this. Well it is strange that you call yourself not very kids friendly yet had kids all over your home.
I am so glad my poem brought back all those memories. I sure appreciate your sharing it here. Thank you.
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I hope you had fun while you were away!
I am personally not kid friendly. Kids seem to be Marla-friendly. I don’t get it, but why argue with what is. I’d prefer they stay home with their parents, they prefer to be camped out in my house. I prefer they go to school and learn and they hunt me down for me to help them with their homework. It’s how it’s always been. I don’t fight it, I’m just not wonderfully good at any of it LOL
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Love the sense of invitation in this one and how going into someone’s home is not about judging its appearance but more about connect with the person!
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Absolutely, Jaya! That is what matters.
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I thought I’d commented on this once already, Punam, but I must have dreamed it or I’m as old as I feel right now! This is a beautiful poem that honestly moved me. Friendship is precious to all who take time to nurture it. Let’s be present for one another during the good times and bad.
pax,
dora
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Dora, friendship is truly precious and I feel blessed to have so many friends. Thank you. ❤️
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I loved this one – the sense of friendship that can be nurtured this way! I’m always willing to ditch my dusting if there is an opportunity to visit with a friend!!
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Yay, Val! That’s just like me. ❤️
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Such a beautiful, open and generous invitation. Thanks Punam, I’d love to drop in and have a heart to heart with you. Lovely poem my friend. Thanks again.
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Oh, won’t that be lovely! Insha’allah! Who knows. 🤗❤️
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Yes, maybe one day.
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What a lovely invitation, Punam! It would be lovely to join you for a chinwag 🙂
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That would indeed be so lovely, Chris. ❤️
How are things in your neck of the woods right now?
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Thanks for asking, Punam.
We have entered our fourth wave, but although cases are climbing rapidly, hospitalisations are not overwhelming and are mostly confined to the unvaccinated. So far, the recovery rates are much better than with previous strains of the virus. There is a lot of pressure for making vaccinations mandatory, which I strongly support unless individuals have a very good reason not to have the jab. At the moment, it looks like we won’t have another lockdown, but the economy has already faced a huge blow with so many countries closing their borders to countries in southern Africa. A further blow is the fact that the rich countries are buying up even more vaccines, putting our poorer countries to the back of the queue yet again. On a personal level, our behaviour hasn’t changed: wearing masks, washing / santising hands and keeping away from gatherings. We’re hoping to spend a few days away in January on the west coast, walking quietly on the beach and relaxing.
How are things with you? We don’t see a lot of international news here.
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I was very concerned about you when I heard about the new variant. The rest of the world was very unfair with Africa. More vaccines should have been sent there. Shutting borders is no solution. Vaccinations, wearing masks, sanitizing hands and maintaining physical distance is the only way.
We have had a few cases of Omicron, mainly people coming from abroad have brought it. We are such a populous country and this variant is highly transmissible that I won’t be surprised if we have the third wave by end of this month! Thankfully, this variant is not causing fatalities. Yet.
Take care. Will catch up with your posts soon. 😊
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Wow! A lovely poem. So heartfelt!!❤
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Thanks so much! ❤️
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This was so lovely! 😭
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Thanks, lil sis. 😘
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Like they say these days ‘ Don’t be a stranger’.
I am taking you up on this offer, the day I am in Delhi 🙂
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I would not have it otherwise, Shiwani. ❤️
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I love the sentiments of your poem, Punam. Although I am an introvert, I always make time for friends.
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Tracy, you are a wonderful friend. I am sure you are a great listener.
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Thank you, Punam.
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You are welcome.
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Wow what a generous invitation, Punam. I would love to come to your house and be your guest. Lovely.
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Kamal, won:t that be lovely! ❤️
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Yes it sure would Punam. Take care and stay safe 💖
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This is such a warm and heartfelt piece, Punam! I remember when it was a safer world and friends would just pop in for a chat and a good couple of coffee. ❤️
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I yearn for those days, Eugi. ❤️
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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so heartwarmingly welcome … you are indeed a friend to be treasured sis!
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❤️🤗
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Absolutely loved your poem – laundry can stay where it is, I prefer being present – this lingered most in me from your welcoming heartwarming poem. This space of comfort and reliability is so needed in today’s world and in person meeting so treasured.
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Indeed, Pragalbha. Human relations over material comforts. ❤️
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Elegant, touching, and an open heart at the door. A gorgeous poem, Punam. I love it. ❤️
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Thanks, dear Jeff. ❤️
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Welcome, dear Punam. Always. 💖
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That is a lovely narration of the beauty of friendship and good friends. Wonderful Punam 🙂
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Thanks a lot, Vignesh. Friends are forever. 🙂
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“I am taking a break
from being presentable all the time
I prefer to be present these days.”
💚💚💚 this, ma!
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🤗❤️🙏🏼
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Incredible take on the prompt! Very easy to empathise. Taking a break from being presentable. We all have breaking points. Thanks for your invitation. I’m dropping right in! 😉
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Anytime, my dear. ❤️
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Sooo heartwarming Punam…i love this..
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Thanks, dear Mich.
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I’m so glad you’re keeping that door open.
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Always open for friends.
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Your friends are incredibly lucky, Punam! I thoroughly relished this tribute to friendship, which is an incomparable blessing.
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Friends are a blessing indeed! Thanks so much, Roshni, I am truly blessed. ❤️🙏🏼
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