I have let some friendships go quiet in the last twenty years when their silence in the face of injustice and alternative facts made me question who they really were.


Volumes

We were friends.
I valued your kindness,
the thoughtfulness you poured into others
without ever worrying if anyone
would pour it back into you.

Now I cannot look past your silence.

Cruel men spin out lies
demonizing the ones who disagree.
They believe that kindness is weakness,
that they alone know who is worthy -
and who is not - of being blessed.

Do you not see the blessing in me?

Whether coward or co-conspirator,
the thread that sews your lips
now sews my heart shut against you;
the laughter which once fell easily
from pleasant memories has faded.

I am not laughing anymore.



Poetry by Melinda K Zarate The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 17 times
Written on 2026-07-18 at 23:01

Tags Friendship  Politics  Trust 

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Alan J Ripley The PoetBay support member heart!
Kindness and compassion,
Are not as rare as you may think.
Their are many that share those qualities,
That shine as bright as you.
Regards Alan
2026-07-19