Sonnet: Avoidance Is Prudent At Times Poem by Dr John Celes

When mutual trust is lost between spouses,
When gone’s concern for next between two friends,
When envy surfaces between houses,
’Tis better that such relationship ends!

When hate replaces love between brothers,
Unhealthy tussles occur in a class,
And selfishness exceeds love for others,
Who cares if you’re a monkey or an ass?

When one can’t keep the secrets told to him,
When one has started telling frequent lies,
When one acts per his fancies and his whim,
Just shun such company; better it dies!

Better you have a stranger as your foe;
Your friend never should turn your woe!