He Is Gentle

My friend was recently diagnosed with Schizophrenia; this is to bring attention to it.

After a painful day, I notice from my bed

That my friend is in his own mind, thinking

By himself, not realizing as I hold my head

And rock myself, I’m sinking.

        Sinking.

        Sinking.

But I’m pulled from my thoughts as strong arms

Wrap soothingly around my shaking frame

He lets me cry, frightened in my world but safe from harm

He knows how I feel, he has felt the same.

He is gentle.

Is kind.

Humble.

 

Months or weeks or days pass us quickly by

He continues to protect and shelter me

Underneath our always blindingly starry sky

There’s not a single person with whom I’d rather be.

Not mother.

Not father.

No other.

He helps me through my life every single day

It seems he never tires, never grows older

When I need company, his words are never grey,

Full of promises with kind touches to my shoulder.

He is good.

Is gentle.

Friend.

 

Everything is well for me again, except for today;

Today my cat hinted that of my secrets, he knew.

Mother calls that it is dinner time; he comforts me and says,

“Today, let’s go and try to do something new.”

Did I eat?

I don’t know.

Says I don’t need

We are going on an adventure, he tells me

I walk outside with him into our familiar dark skylight

He holds my hand and tells me that I don’t need to see

I close my eyes and smile; with him, dark doesn’t bite.

He is trusting

Is thoughtful

Happy

 

We walk and walk with no final destination in mind

He was right, I didn’t need dinner because this is fun!

He tells me that for trusting him, I am so kind

We laugh together as he says that I am almost done.

I am kind

He says

Friend

It feels breezy as we slow down together to a stop

I take another step forward and feel cold and wet

I’m allowed to uncover my eyes and see the top

Of a water bank, but he is smiling with no threat.

He is good

Is nice

Trust

 

He says we should go and swim, but I am sad;

I cannot swim, but he takes my hand with a smile

He tells me he will help me, that it won’t be so bad

He promises that we will only swim a mile.

A mile is a short

Distance

Says

We go into the water and he holds me up as we go

I notice just how vast is it’s intensely vast starkness

I hold my breath as I go under the ebbs and flows

And exhale as I look up into this familiar darkness.

He is good

He is gracious

He is gentle.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated.

Reviews

[rowan.taylorrr]

i really like this, I like the way it says "he is" over and over again. I really like the comfort in this piece

[Victoria]

i don't think ever enjoyed a poem so much. its lyrical and beautiful, very profound

[lucera]

Thank you so much!

[emipoemi]

This is awesome! So solemn, so sublime, so poetically profound with superb musicality. I'd only suggest that it read "A friend" or "friendly" simply so it fits with the pattern of words. Otherwise this is grand beyond description! Well done!

[lucera]

Thanks for the suggestion! (: