This Game He Plays (The Influence of a Friend)

By Penny Gurner

This Game he plays with others’  hearts, and minds

A tease, his lure of shock and shame, he can

test you, test him, provoke until he finds

More blush, more blame, more love untamed, his plan

Is it the fate of man, to lose himself?

To vain, and artful tricks, addicted fun?

The smell of smoke, and booze left on the shelf

With day bright eyes, and level-headed sun

I feel your love, your heart, I know it’s real,

This friendship links us with a taunt of change,

It does not have to but it tries to steal

A family’s balance, time, and trials arrange

Not my wish to unmask your dying dream

We love your wit, the way you whine, and love

Enough to share, the damn, and flow, a stream,

The space you leave behind, so soft, a dove

By Penny Gurner