A Friend

A Friend

© 2016 by P Michael Biggs

When I met her I was still fragile

The wounds were hidden

But they were there

And her wounds were there too

Sometimes they came out

Sometimes I had to help her

edge them to the light

And so we talked

And so we laughed

And so we trusted

Slowly at first …

Are you for real?

Are you what I perceive you to be?

Can you possibly become that great friend

and lover I have longed for?

Will you abandon me?

Run away?

Leave me for another?

I have dreams, she said

I want a degree

I want the education I never got

What do you want?

First I want you to have your dream

And degree and education

And then …

I want to write

I want my voice to be heard

The voice of encouragement and validation

The voice of hope and inspiration

Then let us walk together

And so we did

And so we are

To borrow from Toni Morrison

“She gather me, man.

The pieces I am,

She gather them

and give them back to me

In all the right order.”

She listens, and encourages

And nurtures, and loves

We talk, we laugh,

We walk, we love

I cry on her shoulder

She cries on mine

And Toni comes back …

“It’s good, you know

When you got a woman

Who is a friend of your mind.”

And a friend of your heart, Toni. 

A friend of your heart.