About the Poet
Bryanna T. Perkins is a contemporary American poet known for her deeply personal and uplifting verses that explore emotions, healing, and everyday sources of strength. Her poem “A Friend Found in Music” draws from her own life experiences, where music became a reliable source of comfort during difficult times. Through simple yet powerful metaphors, Perkins celebrates music’s ability to lift spirits, provide therapy, and act as a loyal friend when no one else is around. Her writing style is warm, rhythmic, and relatable, making her work especially popular among young readers who find solace in songs and melodies.
Key Points of the Poem
- The poet describes music using beautiful metaphors — an ocean that pulls her to the shore, a rhythm that moves her to the core, therapy when she feels blue, and a needed friend when no one cares.
- Music helps her during sadness (when she feels blue), lifts her spirits, and gives her strength to “pull through” tough times.
- Even in her happiest moments, music is present, proving it is a constant companion.
- The poem shows music’s power to heal emotions and provide comfort, making it a true friend.
Detailed Summary
Music is the ocean
That pulls me to the shore.
Music is the rhythm
That moves me to the core.
This stanza presents music as a powerful and irresistible force that deeply influences the poet’s emotions. By comparing music to an “ocean,” the poet suggests its vastness, depth, and ability to attract and surround her completely. The poet compares music to an ocean that draws her towards the shore — just as an ocean’s pull is irresistible, music draws her in, offering her direction, comfort, and a sense of belonging. Calling music “rhythm” highlights its natural connection with life and heartbeat, showing how it synchronises with inner feelings. The line “moves me to the core” emphasises that music does not just entertain but touches the deepest part of the poet’s soul, affecting her emotionally and spiritually.
Music is the therapy I need when I feel blue.
Music lifts my spirits
To make sure I pull through.
In this stanza, the poet highlights the healing and comforting power of music. She describes music as “therapy,” suggesting that it acts as a therapy for emotional pain and sadness. The phrase “feel blue” symbolises moments of loneliness, stress, or sorrow, during which music becomes a source of relief. Music helps her process emotions and regain balance. The line “lifts my spirits” shows how music can instantly improve mood, bringing positivity and hope even in difficult situations. The phrase “pull through” signifies overcoming challenges, indicating that music provides strength and motivation to face hardships. Overall, this stanza emphasises music as a supportive and healing force in life.
The times when I’m most cheerful,
It’s clear, music was there.
Music is the needed friend
When no one seems to care.
The final stanza focuses on the constant presence of music in the poet’s life, both in happiness and loneliness. The poet acknowledges that music accompanies her during her happiest moments, enhancing her joy and making those experiences more meaningful. At the same time, music becomes especially important during times of isolation, when she feels that no one else understands or cares.Music becomes most important during times when no one seems to care — making it a truly needed friend.. By calling music a “needed friend,” the poet personifies it as a loyal and dependable companion who never leaves her side. This comparison highlights music’s emotional support and reliability. The stanza concludes by reinforcing the idea that music is not just a form of entertainment but a true friend that provides comfort, companionship, and emotional strength.
Theme/Message
Theme
The poem focuses on music as emotional therapy and constant companionship. It shows how music acts like a loyal friend that supports us in both happy and sad times. The poet describes music as something that deeply connects with emotions, healing sadness and bringing inner peace. Through expressions like “music is the therapy” and “moves me to the core,” the poem highlights its powerful emotional impact. It also shows that music is always present—whether in moments of joy or loneliness. Overall, the theme emphasises that music is not just sound or entertainment but a source of comfort, strength, and emotional connection that stays with us throughout life.
Message
- Music is more than entertainment — it is a powerful friend that never leaves us alone.
- When we feel low or lonely, music can lift us up and help us “pull through” difficult moments.
- Even in our happiest times, music stays with us, making every moment better.
- Emotional Implications — The tone is warm, grateful, and comforting, making readers feel the poet’s deep love for music.
- The poem reminds us to turn to music whenever we need comfort or joy — it is always there for us.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor — The entire poem uses metaphors: Music is the ocean, the rhythm, the therapy, and the needed friend.
- Anaphora / Repetition — The word ‘Music’ and the phrase ‘Music is the’ are repeated at the start of multiple lines (anaphora), emphasising music’s central role in the poet’s life.
- Rhyme Scheme — The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme — only the 2nd and 4th lines of each stanza rhyme (shore/core, blue/through, there/care), giving it a flowing, song-like quality
- Personification — Music is given human qualities — it “pulls”, “moves”, “lifts”, and acts as a “friend”.
Difficult Words
- Pulls me to the shore = draws or attracts me strongly
- Moves me to the core = deeply affects my innermost feelings
- Feel blue = feel sad or depressed
- Lifts my spirits = makes me feel happy and hopeful
- Pull through = succeed in overcoming a difficult situation
- Most cheerful = very happy
- Needed friend = someone essential and reliable