Brooke Forbes

Unwanted Friend

Guest Post by Kate Johnson

So I see that you’re back and have taken your hold.

Dark, and deep, and incredibly bold.

Looks like you’ve got me, tight in your grip.

One wrong move and I surely will slip.

Treading water… Just getting wetter.

Hoping that this time, things will get better.

I aimlessly wander, avoiding the action

Existing in life, but not gaining traction.

You’ll sit down beside me, whisper death in my ear

And I’ll lean in toward you and just disappear.

You’ll take all the pain and the sorrow away

And I will give in for I just cannot stay

But then something in me, a courage will stir

And my head will be clearer, I’ll see through the blur.

I’ll fight my way back and fend you away

I’m not ready to go. Not me. Not today.

I can distance myself and reach out my hand

Get out of the water and onto dry land

You’ll move to the distance growing small as you go

And whilst I’ll still see you, I won’t say hello

And though I need things to change, to come to an end

It won’t be with you, my unwanted friend.

This is a poem featured as part of the Survival Micro Lit/ Poetry Competition.