Some Good Friends Poem by Jayatissa K. Liyanage

A & B being two good comrades;
In all what matters, they blended well!
One day they happened to walk hand in hand
On a path along, and later across rail tract

At crossing they stopped, and scanned both ways
There was the oncoming train, fifty meters away
After a sudden, quick and instant cerebral exercise
A, all by himself crossed, assuming B would follow

Moved few steps, after; not seeing B, he stopped
To be taken aback in flat spin and bewilderment
Wondered what happened and where was B
Watching still moving train, down the line

Adding to his puzzlement, B was standing there
Like a statue, calm and cool, right where they were.
Slowly, calmly and smilingly B crossed the tract
Anticipating a query from worried looking A

Why didn't you cross with me? He asked
Machan (Pal) , one thing I never want to do;
There was just enough time for us to cross, sure
Without being hit on the train, true.

Nevertheless, think about the train on move,
Its hugeness, speed, what it carried in its belly
What restraints it has, responsibility its driver held
Its maneuverability in emergencies and so forth

Compare these with you and me, like a good soul
In a precarious situation like that, B asked from A
Who, can and should be more rational, logical and sensible
Most of all, what big thing you gained by crossing that way
Except pushing up loco drivers heart throb,
Plus, his anger perhaps, faintly though?

A shook his head naively! B conceded gesture humbly!

Were you that much thoughtful, that moment?
A queried back inoffensively
Of course, I am used to do that, affirmatively B replied
I dare not challenge anything or anyone handicapped
Compared to me, or when I seem more vulnerable
B said, further, with his arm on A’s shoulder.

On a later day, this man A met C, a friend of mine,
Related this story, which taught a lesson to him
After which he has started practicing very same thing

My friend heard it in his school days
And I heard it from him only few days before.
Ever since then, my friend too has practiced it
Taking it in biologically to his flesh and blood

So much so, while on wheel, on his way home
Particularly along the curvy, narrow rugged road
Magnanimously, asked or not, makes room for heavier autos
By side-stepping, slowing down, stopping and even reversing.

For the last few decades, on this road, my friend became
Not just a good driver but an esteemed gentleman
Admired and honored well and truly by
All regular movers, acquainting him, well and high