We Have Been Such Great Friends Poem by john tiong chunghoo

love, it is rude
for you to ask me
to give up what has
been closest to my heart
- my special rights, my roses

i felt offended,
dishonoured, insecure
and of course furious
you have asked
for the one thing
that means quite the
most to me

perhaps, you do not
treasure me anymore
and want to part ways

let me be blunt about it
to drive some brains into you
it is also in the way
you have asked

not that i care a hoot about
what you have asked

but to ask me to give up
my freedom, is stepping
on my freedom
tearing up my world

you would have wronged me
less if you have just asked
or even pleaded with me
whether to have that special rights
shared with you, extended to you

the former earns you a scorn
the latter you know the way that i am
a laugh together with you or even at you

you know we have been such great friends
and you know the way i am
you should not have even asked