Friends by Olive Tilford Dargan

Name: Friends
Author: Olive Tilford Dargan

The narrative explores the complexities of friendship through the lens of three distinct relationships. The first friend embodies joy and warmth, bringing light and nostalgia into the narrator's life. Their interactions evoke memories of love and celebration, highlighting the beauty of companionship and shared experiences. The second friend, more elusive, represents a deeper emotional connection, marked by tenderness and a sense of longing. Their meetings are rare but impactful, filled with poetic imagery that reflects the bittersweet nature of their bond. The third friend is a figure of melancholy, representing a shared understanding of life's struggles and existential doubts. Their encounters occur in crowded spaces, emphasizing a sense of isolation despite being surrounded by others. This relationship delves into themes of loss and the search for meaning, contrasting the warmth of the first two friendships. Throughout the work, the narrator grapples with the transient nature of these connections, recognizing that while friendships may vary in intensity and frequency, they all contribute to a richer understanding of love and existence. The interplay of joy, longing, and sorrow creates a tapestry of human experience, ultimately suggesting that true friendship transcends time and circumstance.

By Olive Tilford Dargan · First published 1935 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Romance · 807 words

First lines

There's one comes often as the sun And fills my room with morning; comes with step Light as a youth's that joy has hurried home. If he should greet my cheek, so might a wind Blow roses till they touch, silk leaf to leaf, And on their beauty leave no deeper dye; But with that touch an old world is untombed, Gay, festal-gowned; and two with nuptial eyes Walk arm-locked there, flinging the curls of Greece From proud, smooth brows. As trapped between two throbs, Their laughter dies in silent passion's kiss; And I from glow of ancient dust look up To meet the untroubled eyes of my friend's bride, Her pretty, depthless eyes that smile and smile Possessingly, not grudging alien me A footstool place about her sceptred love. And I, too, from imperial largess, smile.

What this Textopian page supports

Friends is listed on Textopian as a short story by Olive Tilford Dargan, dated 1935 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Olive Tilford Dargan
Date: 1935 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Romance, Philosophical, Nature Writing
Length: 807 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
Literary Fiction — The themes explore deep emotional connections and the complexities of friendship, characteristic of literary fiction.
Romance — The text contains elements of love and relationships, particularly in the context of friendship and longing.
Philosophical — The work reflects on existential themes and the nature of human connections, indicative of philosophical literature.