A real friend is someone you might have grown up with,

Experienced all the good and bad shit,

Helps dig that fort from years of young,

And roamed the streets when night light prevailed

Stood tall when times got challenging,

Even when sides needed to be taken.

 

A real friend is there if life delivers a tragic blow,

Placing you in a tough position, tossing you to and fro

Between leaving your friend because of ignorance,

Being forced to leave them behind because the crowd may be embarrassed.

This is not a real friend, at least not one that I would claim.

 

A real friend would know who you are and what hurts you the most.

They would support you wrong or right, standing close to their post.

Through thick or thin until the calm returns,

Soothing your soul, giving you peace knowing you are there.

 

As time returns the plenty, rewards fill your ego.

They are there with life’s so many turns as each emotion catches your breath

At birth and death, and marriage, and baptism and burial, and every blessing with reflections of time and trials.

Even bad, embarrassing spots, take you to the edge of your bonds of decay.

 

A real friend is not afraid to cry or laugh through each ordeal,

Or hug and hold you oh so dear when left alone as an island disappears

Outside pressures and stupidity makes cowards of few,

But a real good friend will always stand by you,

Not many can make that claim, but,

A real friend is always there until the end.

 

My Appreciation for all the real friends I've had in my life. You all know who you are.

And, my pity to all the people who left friends behind.

Paul J. Bunnell, UE, Chief, & Author        2009