To Friends, in Gratitude for Shared Time and Times

"My thanks to all," perhaps is trite.
My thanks, my friends, your grace.
Do I each one call, or each one write?
What if friendship were...a place?
Like a palace of infinity, of immense, unmeasured stone
In a forest of eternity, a domain no one may own.
It stands brave through calamity, weath'ring ev'ry gale that's blown
Behind the walls: Felicity, our gleaming, golden throne.
Remember friends, the time you've lost
Remember times you've won.
To Know we'll ever meet the cost
In joy 'neath Summer's Sun.
Embrace with laughter we hold dear, respected like a vow.
Exhult through darkest skies. They'll clear. Enjoy the here and now.
And where you go, so goes the seer, hand shading eyes and brow.
Step forward and behind goes fear. Just Wish, and then Allow.
Come, join me, as you have before!
Come, join in song or play!
We'll leap into the blue and soar -
Sweet night or brightest day.
If all we ever have is this exquisite timeless plane
A hand to hold, a cheek to kiss, the touch like gentle rain.
We loving friends, so grand a list, a bounty near profane.
Let us smile and know our bliss; let us glory in our reign.