Enduring Passions? Poem by Aaron Marchant

I remember beauty and her captivating smile
I met her in my early teens, she loved me for a while
I knew that she was fickle but hoped she'd remain a friend
But deep down, always knew that she would leave me in the end

I was introduced to romance, who enticed me with sweet rhymes
and in my early twenties, we shared some special times
but our feelings dissipated when we knew each other well
it seems that her allure was, but a momentary spell

When Lust and I became acquainted, it was passion at first sight
She was sultry and seducing, yet she'd never stay the night
On reflection, our liaisons were perfunctory and cold
The bard was right to say that ‘all that glisters is not gold'

But there was one loyal witness to all my assignations
who was there to offer comfort at the end of my relations
Her honesty and openness could always keep me strong
Friendship is still beside me, and has loved me all along