On this the Feast of the Sacred Heart

It is hard to be brave
Dying of cancer
In a busy ward
Full of noise and
Strange lights.

It is hard to be brave
when deserted by friends
left
on pathways hidden.
Or scorned by the young
whose vanity tells them
they can change reality
with any whim, just use
words
and persecute those
who object to
illusions.

It is hard to be brave
when those beloved
have left this life
and words can only
be silent
for us left behind
to be brave.

Silent Witness

St Thomas once said
there is nothing
on this earth
more to be prized
than true
friendship.

I am a witness
to your goodness
and the Light
that always shone
through you
Never did my
steps find harm,
always a sure path
forward.

There is only sadness
at your kindness
 betrayed.
The loss of friendship
is such excruciating pain.
I did not always notice her
paths unwinding
but now I can
see into the clues
that were always there.

Why such poison
to herself and all around,
a heart that closed
and will not open,
snapped shut in
bitterness on barren soil.

I am witness to
your goodness
I remain a silent one
my heart always listening
to hear the echo of
your warm and loving heart
my friend.