If only you had stood by me, patted my back & said "There's always a next time". I would have tried again... If you had held me up every time I tripped & fell and told me that wasn't the end... I would have stood my ground if you had held out the rope for me the moments I were deep down the dark abyss of despair I would have climbed out instantly If you had cheered me up too albeit I hadn't emerged the very best in the so many a race... I would have enrolled for another If you had forgiven me when I made the first of the million grave mistakes which ultimately cost the team the 999,999 would have been won If you had listened the many times I really tried to explain you probably would've understood If only you had mourned with me when I was burying my dead I would have forgotten my loss If you had walked with me before I took the very first step of this journey, the miles would have seemed less I'd have walked farther than I did. if you had knelt down and prayed with me when I needed to believe my faith wouldn't have faltered if you had been there when I was in need of a shoulder to lean on I would call you my family if you'd given me crumbs when I were hungry, drops when I were thirsty, clothed my ****** dressed my wounds, counselled me lent an ear when I battled insanity I probably couldn't have fallen off the edge and gone totally bananas if only you had scratched my back when I was growing my nails maybe I could have satisfactorily scratched your itch thenceforth if only you had read my scripts and poetry even if they were but mere rumblings and cacographs I could have written a glossary...* If only you had even just tried to...