New Friends and Old Friends

Last weekend’s awesome picnic with old friends from my years in sixth form really brought back some good memories. It was also heart-warming to see our kids striking up friendships with each other. Brought to mind this poem about friendship by Welsh poet Joseph Parry:

Make new friends, but keep the old; 

Those are silver, these are gold.

New-made friendships, like new wine, 

Age will mellow and refine.

Friendships that have stood the test –

Time and change – are surely best;

Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,

Friendship never knows decay.

For ‘mid old friends, tried and true, 

Once more we our youth renew.

But old friends, alas! may die, 

New friends must their place supply.

Cherish friendship in your breast – 

New is good, but old is best;

Make new friends, but keep the old; 

Those are silver, these are gold.