Popular Poem Categories:
Occasion & Holiday Poems:
My Mate
A heartfelt poem by Guy Innes about longing for someone whose love and belief bring inspiration.
There are some people whose presence makes us feel stronger and more capable, and when they are gone, we notice just how much their encouragement meant to us. Guy Innes captures that feeling beautifully in his poem My Mate, reflecting on loneliness, dreams, and the longing for someone who once inspired him.
The poem shows how deeply another person's faith in us can influence the way we see ourselves and what we believe we can accomplish. Even while surrounded by others, the poet feels the absence of the one person whose encouragement gave greater meaning to his dreams.
As you read My Mate, you may find yourself thinking about someone who has encouraged you, believed in you, or simply made life's journey feel less lonely. You can find more heartfelt poems that reflect on the people and experiences that touch our lives.
Updated September 26, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
My Mate
Poet: Guy Innes
In dreams we meet, though dreams be few
Wherein your voice is clear;
Awake, I go companionless
Down crowded roads in loneliness
Austere;
And yet, have I not longed for you.
My dear?
My best can never quite repay
The craftsman's full demands;
I miss my utmost by as much
As means to me the inspiring touch
Of hands
Whose dreamland spell the workaday
Withstands.
What summit might I not attain
Upon Illusion's hill,
By your unaltered faith upheld.
By your unchanged belief impelled,
Until
Came conquest - might that dream we twain
Fulfill.
Alone, my makeshift best I try -
What matter, since I know
It serves its turn, and it is well
If in the market-place 'twill sell.
Although
Such guerdon mocks the dream that I
Forego.
In dreams we meet, though dreams be few
Wherein your voice is clear,
And still I go companionless
Down crowded roads in loneliness
Austere;
But oh, do I not long for you,
My dear!
Key Reflections In This Poem
-
We Can Miss Someone Even In A Crowd
Loneliness is not always about being physically alone. The poet is surrounded by people, yet he still feels the absence of the one person he longs to have beside him.
-
Encouragement Can Bring Out Our Best
Having someone believe in us can give us confidence to reach higher and keep trying. The poet remembers how his mate's faith inspired him to imagine what he might accomplish.
-
Some People Continue To Inspire Us From Afar
Distance or absence does not necessarily erase another person's influence. Their words, faith, and encouragement can remain with us long after they are no longer beside us.
-
Dreams And Everyday Life Do Not Always Agree
The poet recognizes the difference between the work he dreams of creating and what practical life requires of him. His words reflect a struggle many people understand when responsibilities compete with their aspirations.
-
Longing Reveals What Someone Means To Us
Sometimes we understand the importance of a relationship most clearly when someone is absent. The repeated longing in this poem shows just how deeply this person has touched the poet's life.
Popular Pages
Continue exploring poems and words about love, longing, encouragement, and the people who inspire us.
When someone remains on your mind even when they are far away, these Thinking of You Poems offer heartfelt words for expressing those feelings.
Reflect on the challenges as well as the rewards of loving someone through the poem Love Is Not Easy.
Read True & Patient, a poem about the importance of truth, patience, and faithfulness in love.
Find thoughtful words about affection and relationships in these Love Poetry Quotes that express many different sides of love.
Conclusion
My Mate reminds us how much one person's belief and encouragement can influence our lives. Guy Innes expresses the loneliness of missing someone who did more than offer companionship; this person also gave him inspiration and helped him believe in what he might accomplish.
The poem also reminds us not to take such people for granted. Someone who believes in our dreams, encourages our efforts, and walks beside us through life is a gift worth appreciating. Even when that person is absent, the encouragement they gave us can remain in our hearts and continue to inspire us.
More Finding Love Poems