Like Enemy; Like Friend Poem by ifedayo oshin

My greatest praise goes to you,
My enemy if you perchance exist.
My teacher through, thorough and true
For tutoring me the most and deepest
When a friend’s pat lull me to slumber
Your stinging slap sharpen me awake
For teaching me all I must know
But I must not do
For showing me
The bad, ugly and wrong
That I may know and do
The good, beautiful and the right
For giving me the sting of betrayal
That I may know how not to hurt others
For your sharp, stern and unfriendly look
That I may know the importance of a smile
And when my friend’s sweet words
May let me off guard.
Your sharp rebuke keeps me posted
A reminder of my weaknesses and possible danger
For knowing me than anybody and even myself
Because you have a tab on the files of my life
And so my consultant on self research
Many thanks for being my best
Admirer, critic and guide
Giving me a huge sense of importance
For what more is an enemy, my friend;
If you perchance exist
But a friend in the other boat.