'Words are Friends' is a splendidlymeasured collection of poems, where the author never strays from the poeticqualities of rhyme and structure. The book is notable for its excellentvariety. Some of the poetry is written in an absorbing story-telling style,such as 'The Awning', which tells the story of two Cubs who are chased whenthey decided to swing on the grocer's shop awning, whilst 'Salty Spray'describes the author's joy at living in a cabin by the sea, and details withphotographic clarity the charismatic environment. The variety continues with'The Ombudsman' having trouble with his in-tray.