I and you, my friend
we needn't hold each other's hand
but we both understand
we are joint sojourners
in this temporary land
which we can't claim
to be our rightful home-
life is the owner
we are each only a tenant-

whatever,  in dignity
we still stand
our lives are our own
we'll not give in
to life's dictates and whims
we aren't afraid
to be our very own

You and I
together we'll stand
in sunshine or rain
to the very end

' Absence makes the heart grow fonder'

My version:

Absence breaks the heart asunder

Indifference
stings more than
contempt

Kindness
is enough religiousness
even unknown, on its own
it sparkles silently in devotion and faithfulness-

it's the generous giving
wherever it's present
the fountain over-flowing
the love that's unceasing -

kindness
is the alpha and omega
its helping hand
is always near, never far

I'll string together
in a basket life's trivia
and cast it gladly
into the nearest river-

only a few poems
and songs of mine will I keep
myself to contemplate and console
when in future days to revisit-

life is the assembling
and the detaching
in their own time
as along with it I  keep engaging-

I'll string together
in a bouquet my every memory
my every dream, my every inspiration
as I live lovingly, tenderly and freely

Self-love, self-respect and self-trust
for a good life this is enough
and we are insulated against
the hurt and callousness of others

He was worse
than poison-
the cobra bit him
and died thereof!