Childhood friend

 When we were young,

you laughed and sung.

 I took the brunt of the jokes,

tried to smile but choked.

 It was always about me, no one else,

had nothing funny to say about yourself?

 We'd known each other from six,

but then others joined the mix.

 My insecurities were secret just between us,

but you shared for a laugh and I didn't make a fuss.

 I always kept yours, secrets that is,

because we were friends, that's what friendship is.

 Others could clearly see,

what you were doing to me.

 But they had to laugh along,

or you'd know it was wrong.

 No words of defence - it was too late,

crazy what words can do to your mental state.

 We grew apart for obvious reasons,

but people still asked, not knowing my feelings.

 I would walk home alone not catch the bus,

only 45-minutes, it was a must.

 What was my plan, tell me fate,

why is my friend spreading this hate.

 Now we're older, am I mad?

About these sad memories that I have?

 Maybe I should thank you for showing me how,

to hear rudeness and hatred and act unfazed now.

 What an incredibly strange way to truly end,

what's left in my mind of a childhood 'friend'.

Author's Note

I feel like this doesn't read as well as I want it to, any advice?

Reviews

[Unspoken poet]

Wow, you really have some talent, Kind of a sad write, but expressed so well

[Shelley Warner]

I think it read well. I really sympathized with the person betrayed by a friend who made jokes at his/her expense. I could really see the lonely person walking home instead of taking the bus. And in the end, the lesson learned is to recognize rudeness and hatred and oppose it. Something we need today.

[no tell writer]

I like it the way it is, so full of heart-tugging words.