I listened to all your problems
for years my ear was numb,
I had no input on how to solve them,
but a way out balanced on my thumb.
You inquired of how it felt,
and I was hesitant to describe,
how all troubles seemed to melt
and all the answers were transcribed.
We began with liquid form
as it tends to go down easy,
and for once we were warm,
though our surroundings were freezing.
We grabbed another glass,
and swiped another bottle from the store.
Back and forth our hands would pass,
‘cause that’s what friends are for.
Then I showed you all hues of green,
once it was our favourite colour,
hours spent glued to a T.V screen,
but the image kept growing duller.
It didn’t take us long to grow tired
when you’re always out and burned,
so we searched for a fill to get us wired,
oh all the ways we learned.
Seventeen years we’ve stood together,
starting at a concert’s mosh pit,
we’ve seen seasons change ignoring the weather,
though we sometimes lose touch a bit.
You get the lock and I’ll hit the latch,
together we can go through each door.
If you bring the gas, I’ll strike the match,
‘cause that’s what friends are for.
Finally we discovered nirvana,
the most beautiful of all the sights,
and though you took it to stigmata,
my airways clogged countless days and nights.
Sleep would eventually come peacefully for once,
and until then it was nothing but grins.
We’d converse back and forth with sighs and grunts,
discussing our secret sins.
And while I’ll forever fight that demon,
it seems long ago you stopped trying,
and for the moment I possess my freedom,
cautiously close you are slowly dying.
I didn’t guide you alone but I sure left a mark,
we walked the path together but I picked myself up off the floor.
so I’ll tie your shoes to walk into the dark,
‘cause that’s what friends are for.
I’m not the only one to guide her, but the guilt still eats me alive.
