Losing a friend is no walk around the park...

Losing a friend is no walk around the park
It is easier the 5th time around
But the tears still come
But to separate one’s self from the other is essential ahead of time
Before the dam breaks
Almost as it inevitably does
It is rare when a dam does not break
But here comes the water
The flood of tears of a promise unmade, a life unlived
But to love in this lifetime is beyond me
Maybe I will see him again in the next lifetime
Maybe our souls will recognize each other
Maybe we will forget the past
I have said goodbye many times over
In my own inconsequential way
My heart is light, the bags underneath my eyes heavy
The tears, they come and go
But I am going as well
And forgiving indeed understanding of my actions •

I have a friend I have known for 10 years. We were thick as thieves. But over the years, we had led different lives, causing difficulty in nurturing the friendship. Losing a friend can often feel much more painful that losing just a romantic relationship. Friends share parts of each other that are not entrusted to others. We know they will keep our secrets; they will hurt, cry, and laugh with us if necessary. They are there, emotionally at least, steadfastly.

So, when this relationship seems to end, especially when in the prime, it can feel cataclysmic.

However, one thing I have come to know is that if the love and compassion for this person is still there in the heart, there is always a chance for revival and resurrection. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe in 10 years. But if the love and bond remain mutual, there is always a chance for a future in which we can become reacquainted with the ways we are different, and the ways we are still the same. There is nothing like the bond between true friends; it is stronger than any fiber. So, even if it frays from thinning and stretching, it never truly breaks. •

Poem from Acres of Shadow
© Aisha Tariqa Abdul Haqq Publishing
Follow @AishaTariqa for more original poetry and inspiration •