Girlfriend

Teri Lyn Smith

Winter 1993

 

 


She is leaving me soon

My very best friend

And pursuing a different life

They will not be the same my days

Without her near

I should be glad

She deserves the change

But I am selfish and greedy for her company

Oh such a lovely friend is she

Caring and loyal

I do not want to let her go

But she insists there is where she belongs

Twenty years I have known her

Much younger we both were when we met

Her eyes would laugh and tempt me to play

Always successful in making me smile

Happy to know her as my friend

I tell her to stay awhile longer

Play the games we used to play

But she has found another friend

And his eyes offer warmth and comfort

A kind of love she has never know before

I will her to stay with me

I want to bar the door

But she is fading as we speak

And her future looms in the distance

I say, “I will not like your new friend

He is cruel to take you away from me”

But that is a lie

His sweetness and peace make me know

There is where she needs to be

The days pass swiftly as we wait

Her departure date is set not far off

With all things considered

I wish to help her pack the memories of us

Into the cardboard boxes

But the richness of them weighs me down

My friend you are like arms to me

Like a comfortable quilt full colored and warm

But now ready to encircle another

What will I do when you are gone away?

Will I be welcomed into your new world?

As a friend or an intruder

I worry about this

If I close my eyes will this all go past?

Like some fitful dreamers darkest hour?

Will you still love me as you have?

Am I still your dearest one?

No I doubt this for you have another

To love and to hold

A new friend to take my place

How can I not be saddened by this thought?

Yet the look in your eyes

Has only made me long to be like you

To be you at this moment

I cannot take that away from you

I will not take that away from you

I will let him take you away from me

And I will watch through my tears as you go

“Good life” my sweetest cherished one

“Good life” my dearest friend

“Good bye” my girl child, my only daughter