The love of great friends

It is a wonderful thing to have great friends,
for you experience something that is permanent,
even if you are separated by time and space,
in your heart and theirs remains a special place.
you feel and experience what love is even when not said,
but you know because actions of love cannot be mistaken.
they take time to listen, they are not afraid to speak,
they love to serve, and their love will never retreat,
they teach you a lot and compliment you well,
they help you learn valuable things so you will excel.
they appreciate your quirks and all that you are,
they will correct you even if doing so leaves a scar,
because they look out for your best even when you don't,
and they can't stand idly by, they just won't.
they may step back if you ask them to,
but their love for you will always be true,
even if you turn your back on them or push them away,
their love for you as tested will in no way decay.
for in them a love is being perfected,
that will grow and remain even when rejected.
for they are learning and receiving from the master lover himself,
whose love is sacrificial and unconditional, not something on a shelf,
kept there to admire but never gets involved or is performance related,
such love would be insufficient, unstable, and easily deflated.
no greater love have they known than from the ultimate friend,
in whose steps they follow so their love you cannot outspend,
and in time their friendship will help to transform you,
into a person who loves as much or even more than they do.