The best friendships are said to be
Like flowers – or, more specifically,
are roses, bestowing blessings,
imparting color, life, meaning;
some friendships masquerade, however,
as harmless flowers,
but in truth are crocodiles,
With sharp teeth and wiles.
I’ve been running from them for so long,
Since fifteen, till I came upon
A solitary rose in a field,
A bloom of color that refused to yield,
Blooming, bold and bright
And I thought, I’ve escaped my plight;
I tried to grasp her stem, but I felt her scorn
Because little did I know, this rose has a thorn –
Or rather, many, of all shapes and sizes,
I realized, this rose hid many surprises.
I cowered beneath her shade,
Hiding from the crocs with teeth like blades,
Cowering from the memory of those past betrayals,
Terrified another Judas would be hot on my trail.
I hid as a rose for so long,
I deceived even myself as one of their throng.
Thinking, I must be one of her kind,
But looking down, I was shocked to find,
I was not truly a rose, as I’d thought,
I realized I’d lost myself as I fought
The liars, cheaters, thieves and fakes.
Depressed, I’d slumbered, but now I’m awake,
Finding that I am strong,
Resilient, though terribly wronged,
But they can try to take my head,
Laugh they may, but I’m not dead.
Not a rose, but something better,
Stronger, like a Phoenix, like the warrior Orion,
A burst of sunlight amongst the weeds –
That most hearty of flowers – a Dandelion.
This poem is about my struggle to find myself after countless betrayals, back stabbings, heartaches, and tribulations. I’ve felt the acutest heartbreak and the most gut-wrenching betrayals, and my mom always used to say that a good friend is like a rose – that it’ll bless you, but that every rose has its thorns. I now think that some friendships are like roses, sure – but who says that everyone has to be a rose? I prefer to dance among the wildflowers, who thrive independently but are most beautiful together ❤