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To Fairweather Friends

Real Poetic's Spilt Milk Challenge Entry

By Paul StewartPublished 2 years ago 1 min read
To Fairweather Friends
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

To fairweather friends

I hate how needy I was

I hate how I hung around

Hoping

Waiting

You would invite me here

You would invite me there

Monday mornings of sadness

When you all spoke candidly

About the weekend's events

When I was sat at home

Where was my invite?

I was the afterthought

I was the forgotten

I kept it all in

I kept my sadness

Who would care anyway?

Who would care?

Let it take up space

Inside

Where it took up residency

Became part of me

Never the best friend

Always the one you called

When noone else is available

When I'm there and you can't get rid

Thank you, fairweather friends

For everything you taught me

About friendship

And my importance

Thank you, thank you

Though I hope you realise

I mean a different word

Not thanks

But now I'm older

I've got no more of those to give

For you

Fairweather Friends.

*

Thanks for reading.

This is for Real Poetic's Spilt Milk Challenge. During my later years at school and when I went to college, I did not have the most positive experience always, as I was always overlooked and wasn't treated properly like one of the gang among the other students on my course.

You can learn more about Real Poetic's Spilt Milk Challenge here:

If you are so inclined, here are a couple of other pieces you might like:

You can also check out the rest of my work here.

inspirationalperformance poetrysad poetrysocial commentaryvintage

About the Creator

Paul Stewart

Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.

The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!

Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!

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  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

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Comments (12)

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  • Kristen Balyeat2 years ago

    So sad that you experienced that, Paul! I love this expressive piece, and glad you were able to write about it! You are a gem and I cannot imagine anyone treating you that way! So happy to see this on the winners list! Congrats, friend!

  • Cathy holmes2 years ago

    Wonderfully said. Congrats!

  • Mariann Carroll2 years ago

    Very relatable poetry 🥰You know what I do if I was not invited to a party. I make my own party and invite everyone who wanted to come .

  • Omgggg, I experienced the same exact freaking thing! And it's soooo hurtful! I'm so sorry you had to go through that too 🥺

  • Grz Colm2 years ago

    I’m sad to hear this was your experience. This piece was really poignant and powerful though with a superb msg, & we all obviously think you are rad oh zen master/dark side Paul !! 😃

  • Once again, you've captured my heart & soul, Paul. There have been a few times in my life when friends sought me out consistently, especially when I was in college & during the three years of my first appointment to a two point charge. But for the most part, including all my years growing up, I've been the afterthought, not even the fifth wheel but more like the tire bouncing down the road heading for the ditch. I wish the best for you, my friend. You are one of the bright lights here on Vocal & you deserve that same consideration you already pay to so many others.

  • Test2 years ago

    I’m sorry that was your experience. I don’t think I ever told you this, but I’m actually trying to manifest an American version of you to be best friends with. I had a falling out with my best friend in 2021 because she just was not good for me. I started having actual nightmares about it, it was so stressful. I’ve been cautious to let anyone in my life at all these past few years, because I’ve been working on myself. But I’ve been thinking about how cool it would be to have a writer friend like you to grab coffee with sometimes. Preferably someone married, because I wanna get married too, and not have that be an issue like it would’ve been for my former best bud. Anyways, it was truly their loss.

  • Tiffany Gordon2 years ago

    Awesome job Paul! I strongly strongly dislike fair weather friends! They truly missed out on a Kool person!

  • I’ve been treated like that my whole life! Good work!

  • Dana Crandell2 years ago

    Yeah, buddy! Well done. And I think I know the word.

  • RP2 years ago

    This is a great entry to the challenge. It’s their loss that they overlooked you. Well-done.

  • Ruth Stewart2 years ago

    They are the losers. Horrible people.

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