Friends
there are people
out there
who think
they have friends
they really do
but haven’t a clue
a friend is not
a perfect present
that you unwrap at whim
feeling fuzzy and fake
don’t make that mistake
for friendship
is not a layered cake
that you cut into
and take and take
and expect to
crown it with a candle
and sing a jolly jingle
what a wasted wish
being real
is no party
it’s a 3 a.m. call
from jail
it’s a cut wrist
or a single shot
it’s the “worst-case scenario”
played out
it’s a mess
like oil in the ocean
it’s an arrow apology
that fell short of the board
it’s a drunk fist
a verbal assault
it’s the deepest disappointment
the saddest song
it’s a collision of wills
that never faults the driver
it’s a coward
that hides until it’s “all clear”
it’s a field of flowers
following the wind
it’s everything wrong
with the world
it’s a broken bottle
you stepped on
it’s static
on a dead line
it’s Hell
when it hurts
but the worst
is not feeling
so, remember my friend
keep the cake
forget the present
don’t waste the wish
be willing to die a little inside
or you’re already dead
TL