I had a friend some time ago: I had a friend some time ago who would skip their meds because it got in the way of their poetic angst and drive. Perhaps that intimation provides me with some hold of this poem.
Back in the old grandparents': Back in the old grandparents' house before the thing was finally torn down were several packaging boxes (U-Haul variety) containing several tens of notebooks filled with scribblings much like your "crumpled poems" as with the demolished house, rather swiftly discarded, while I was away at university. They shall never be read again, for sure.
Punctuation as with all: Punctuation as with all things has its use and place. And in the tightrope of sorts that the use of language is, the balance between overuse and underuse is a point difficult to strike along the lines of articulation. Many thanks dear Pungus. Your encouraging words are most heartily received.
When the poetic process: When the poetic process includes the meditation as well as the pouring out there is I feel an opportunity for wisdom to issue forth by a form of sublimation. Time surely can be menacing and also a tool in our journey. Thanks kindly for your goodly thought and much welcome visit.
Thank you, yes I should have,: Thank you, yes I should have, but as his gorgeous model girlfriend was nearby and she's a lovely person, been so good for him and revamped his career that I would never stand any chance. But if he should ever need a caring friend that loves him....... :-)
Another heartfelt gem for D,: Another heartfelt gem for D, you should have whisked him away when you had the chance. This is very nice, and so easy to feel.
I really like this poem (I am: I really like this poem (I am unfamiliar with your Poetry overall), and I applaud its metaphysical tone. The second stanza is exceptionally wise as a description not only of the metaphysical experience that the poem presents, but of a lot of ordinary and earthbound relationships (some of mine, from my youth, included). From time to time, the rhymes seem to stumble a bit, especially in the final stanza where they should be the most rigorously precise in order to deliver a parting emphasis as the poem concludes; but other than that, this is a most distinguished poem.