Friends are a Blessing You Can Make

Loneliness is a decision you do not make.
The stairs go down and down,
Easier than up, because gravity...
And you are too tired to try.
And you are too tired to cry.
And no one sees your shoulders shake.

Pain is a memoir you do not make.
It writes in fire upon your soul,
With icy fingers steely sharp.
For you have no tears to shed.
For you have no scars of red.
For no one hears your silent quake.

Fear is a burden you do not make.
It spans your path with darkness deep,
Its shadow thick that claws and clings.
You feel alone -- no warmth to share.
You feel alone -- with none to care.
Does no one sense your silent wake?

Friends are a blessing you can make.
To dispel the crushing weight of fear,
To read your pain and share your path.
You're not alone -- if someone cares.
You're not alone -- if someone shares,
And hand-in-hand your journey takes.

Mick McKellar
October 2021

Loneliness can be a self-fulfilling curse. Often those with chronic illness can feel like an  invisible wanderer, feeling not only pain and fear, but shame. It can be difficult to share.

Mick