If Not For Friends Poem by Richard Wlodarski

If not for friends...
Could I rise and feel
The rays of the morning sun
Burning through a tough new face
Could I save the old face
From total disgrace

If not for friends...
Could I eat only a morsel
And feel full and satisfied
Knowing I could have died
Could I save starvation
From total destruction

If not for friends...
Could I see radiant smiles
On the faces of beautiful people
Expressing hope and optimism
Could I stave off depression
Through kind acts of assertion

If not for friends...
Could I hear rhythmic music
In the beats of diverse drummers
Marching to freedom and democracy
Could I slow the painful deafening
Through the art of attentive listening

If not for friends...
Could I touch the heart of love
And feel all that is good
Feel love and be loved by self
Could I reach out and touch the Hand Of God
Fully embrace That Love and never walk alone