My Friend

I once had a friend,

we were inseparable for years.

She was everything a good friend should be;

kind, loving, infinitely understanding

and she loved to hold hands.

She was my captive audience,

laughing at all my jokes, nodding approval

and I was very interesting, she said.

My secrets were safe with her, I had no doubt;

after all, she told me all hers.

I miss her now, walking beside me each day;

at night, her warm cheek pressed against mine

And when I turn to her for comfort

I see only the darkness of my nightmares,

no sweet consolation of moonbeams and angels.

They said my friend was imaginary

but what did they know?

© Christine Magee