Why a Friend?

A parent guides and a teacher teaches, But what is it that a friend preaches? What’s the difference between one friend or twenty? When does one friendship become one too many? What does it matter to have a friend. Well, for one, you have someone who you can depend On to right your wrongs and keep you strong Through the troubles that you endure. Someone to heal the wounds that your doctor can’t cure. A friend can be your priest, teacher, doctor, But a friend can be none of these, Because a friend is not bounded by obligations that must be pleased. Obligations that restrict one another from venturing outside the zone Of established normal communications. Of endeavoring past conventional relations. All that’s expected of a friend is to Talk a little, listen a little, and hang out a little, But bare minimums make bare friendships that hold so brittle. Because a friendship can be so much more. And as you meet new people, find new friends, All the meager friendships you begin to ignore Until they become depleted and can’t hold up alone anymore. A friend, a real friend, you must work to keep, Because all the best friendships don’t come cheap. You must give a part of yourself and expect nothing in return. Hoping one day your friend might learn That a true friendship must be earned. A substantial friendship provides one with substantial satisfaction And small friendships can only provide a small, small fraction. Look deep into your friendships to see if they’re true. Look to see whether they should be resigned, refined, or renewed. It doesn’t matter how many you have at the end. Only that you can confidently say, “Yeah, I have a friend.”