"The following is based on real events. Only the places, locations, and events have been changed."

Yes, you can find those words prominently displayed on a black Step Sing banner in the Caf right now, and I didn't come up with them.  However, I liked it for a title, so that's what it is.

The following poem came from my thought process resulting after a facebook conversation I had with one of my incredibly dear friends (who happens to follow my blog, shoutout CUBS followers!).  I just want to say, this will probably be touchy for both of us, but I felt it was something I needed to get out there.  Nothing against you, and don't take it as if I'm trying to condemn you or make you feel bad or guilty.  I'm not.  I'm expressing how my feelings changed from immediately after the conversation to after I had thought about it for awhile.  Some things in it are probably over dramatized a little too.

Oh, and as for you poetry freaks, I was not trying for a consistent meter/rhyme scheme throughout, so call it "free verse."

So, that's my disclaimer.  Without further ado, here it is, "Untitled Poem Number One".

Love:  mysterious and wonderful,
Yet, marked with pain.  It's worth the toll,
Oh yes, but some things you just can't grasp.

For instance, take a friend you love.
You know you'd drop everything at once
If this friend needed comfort.
But you're not completely sure if he'd do the same,
If she'd stop what she's doing to ease your pain.
You want to say yes, but if he doesn't come,
No.  He'll be there.  But...doubt, there might be some.
Of course, it's not just that, oh no, there's more.

You want to be there, but you don't know if you can.
You know your friend so well, you understand
What makes him tick, the things she loves and hates,
Your friend, with you, you know you can relate.
At least, that's what you think....

You're talking and your friend brings something up.
You latch on with excitement,
You want to know some more.
Anticipation building,
Like walking towards a door,
A door to something special,
Something few appreciate,
You're bursting with excitement, you can hardly longer wait....

Stop.  Back to Earth.  Your opinion doesn't count.
Your friend won't fully trust you, and so you are put out.
You shrug it off, but still you can't deny
The way it hurts, so much, down deep inside.
And then, she says, she's told another,
One you both consider like a brother.
Although one of you once may have thought him more,
But that time is over, it was much too long before.
And if that wasn't enough of a blow,
Your friend's told folks you think he barely knows.

Let the shock subside, though, and you'll realize
There's things you'd have to see through your friend's eyes
To fully understand her motivation,
The reasoning behind his consternation
To let you know what's very hard to tell,
To anyone, even those she knows so well.

So, yes, upset as you may be for now,
And disheartened as you try to question how,
It's your love for him helps you survive the fall,
They say patience is a virtue, after all.
It hurts right now, but tomorrow morn,
No love is lost, no thoughts will be forlorn.
If anything, you love him even more,
Than you ever imagined you could before.
Of course, the cycle can and will repeat,
But when you earn her trust,
It's the trials that make that feeling much more sweet.

Unconditionally, that's how Jesus loved,
Through much more disappointment than we ever could dream of.
His example's one we know we all should take
And follow.  And though we'll make some mistakes,
We can love each other like God taught us to,
No matter what our friends might say or do.

-Clayton