“Friendship”

When we were young, completely free

We had met, so easily

Upon the bus we rode together

Ran about in all sorts of weather

Played kick the can and hide-n-seek

Practically lived together throughout the week

In the eve, to home, I’d return

Before streetlights gleamingly burned

At school with different teachers and ‘class’

Smiling and waving, in hallways we’d pass

We’d head to computers or an assembly

Rotation of learning, in melody

First would come choir, then science lab

Always learning, no time for drab

Then a break! We’d meet near the table

Running to monkey-bars, ready and able!

As we grew, we learned things anew.

Swimming for me, ice skating for you.

I’d hop your back wall, we’d run up the stairs,

Discussing our thoughts, feelings and cares.

This boy did this, and this girl did that,

Munching on snacks until we felt fat.

Silly thoughts shared with no other soul,

Blood sisters now, I somehow felt whole.

A new day came, and on to high,

Things had changed, I started to lie

I couldn’t tell you what had transgressed

Left to the past, I thought for the best

Now two different schools separated further

Internal rage, our friendship, my murther

Another loss, another step towards hell

My insolence helped bid the farewell

At a time, when I needed you most

To my wretched past, now it’s host

The person you new, completely gone

I understand now, why you chose to move on

Down. The rabbit hole I jumped in.

No longer concerned for living in sin.

“Mom” looked down, tried to lend me a hand,

But “White Rabbit” had taken me,to his land.

Spiraling down, another level I went

For what I had done, I was surely hell-bent

Destroying myself and others around

For what I had done, that’s where I was bound.

On occasion I would show my face

And present myself to your grace

Feeling loss and total shame

In my eyes you saw my blame

Courteous and now older

Could no longer cry on your shoulder

The laughter now our memories

Floating through, now with more ease

We ended down different different ways.

I still think about those days.

“Friend” meant someone pure and true.

This now, my apology to you.

I should have shared, I should have talked.

I always knew you wouldn’t have balked.

I was too scared of your rejection,

I had just lost parental connection

I had made a choice far beyond my years

That ended only in heartache and tears.

A decision that impacted my life forever,

Sorry for friendship I chose to sever.

Please hold on to the part of our past

Beautiful thoughts still hopefully last

Where you and I were still innocent and free

To the time back where, I am still me.

Charleen Richey

March 9, 2021