friendship

when the ghosts of mem'ries are bitter
and the taste of friendless souls is
within your mouth,
when they hate you
and the fields of grain bend away before your eyes,
when the trees hang limp
and your enemies are everywhere,
i shall be your friend.


and when there is darkness in the land,
when all about do hate you,
i will hold your hand and be your friend.
nor the clouds nor a starless night,
nor the chilling of our minds
can ever alter that.


-------------------------

This poem is from the first volume titled, I won't remember
your name, copyright 1977. Long time ago, though not the
first of my poems.