Between Best Friends Poem by Ariel ~

This is a 'Shared Questions' I wrote with my friend (and poet) Willy Whippor Willow, Jr. Willy currently lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.
PLEASE NOTE: This site default formatting doesn't allow this poem to be posted in its original format. This is meant to be read as a conversation between two; for this site I have used line spacing to separate the two voices.
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Why won’t you listen to me?

Why won’t you understand me?

Don’t you see that I want to help
you?

Maybe you have helped me too much
and you too little?

Can’t you see that you’re hurting
others?

Can’t you see you’re hurting me?

Including me?

Maybe?

Why can’t you understand that I
want to help you stop
before you hurt others?

Wouldn’t it be nice for you to see just how
far I can go?

Won’t you care enough to notice?

Did you know it hurts me too?

Will you please not get mad at me
when I tell you why others
get at you?

I could never get mad at one who is so kind;
but couldn’t I at myself?

Do you realize that I wouldn’t if I
didn’t think you were mature
enough to want to know?
And mature enough to want to change?
Don’t you think I know your patterns
by now?
And when you will start hurting others?
And hurting you?
Do you realize that I wouldn’t say this
If I didn’t care so much about
you?

Maybe I don’t?
Will you show me?

(November 1984)