Gently My Friend Poem by Sylvia Chidi

Gently my friend
Gently gently my friend
For your words only tend
To extend
The moment I descend
Upon you with the truth

Look at us
Let’s examine our personal fuss
That’s dissolved our years of harmonious union
And created total fusion
Of distrust and tension

How can you question my loyalty?
And condemn it as utterly faulty
When only yesterday
You pronounced me
As the best friend you ever had
Oh! My friend, how sad!

Think about what we’ve been through
We have hitched hiked the world together
Laughed and cried together while writing chapters of our book
Trust me our experiences have not been a fluke

We have been through the whole lot
I have watched you grow
With love, respect and admiration
I can predict what mood swings you are going to show
In a minute or a fraction in a reaction to my actions
Yet now you call me a slut

I know I have stood you up on numerous occasions
At restaurants, bars and clubs for celebrations
But did it ever occur to you
That I was going through a whole load of shit
Even contemplating personal defeat
Maybe I am saying this with a resentful tone
But there are so many times
Even with your presence I have felt alone

Gently, gently my friend
I strongly recommend
That we take our time and pretend
That this damage is repairable
Because from experience
Self defence is the worst type of defence
To impose between me and you

Let’s examine where we have gone wrong
My faith in you is still very strong
Is it because I lied to you
That is absolutely nothing new
You have known me for so long
To accept me for my weaknesses
When I do lie
It’s because I do try
Very hard to be perfect for you
I know its wrong, what I do
That’s why lately I try to be true
Because in my heart I truly value you


Gently Gently my friend
I know there was a time
I really hurt you when I took away your love
While tying to blend and extend my horizons
I took what we had for granted
I was only after my selfish needs

I was completely blind
And you were extremely kind
To forgive me
When I saw the light
Oh! Friend please don’t give up the fight
Let’s not plunge into a plight
Oh it will make such a pitiful sight

© Sylvia Chidi- 17 October 2005