Holding back the river

My friend was sad
I resisted hearing her
I was riding a wave
of positive circumstance
…………for a change

So I made a joke
I laughed real loud
to drown her pain
with my insensitivity

I tried to make her laugh
it was not ok…
that she was down

I was scared to be dragged
to the depths again
I’d done it hard and long
until this break in the weather
this sun shining on my life

I’m a river guide
and
in a slow unfolding
I realized
I was holding back the river
Aaah
I was going against the flow
resisting…….. in this way
invalidated her experience

I changed my course
I let the river run……
her emotions flowed
and passed me by
just as water does

Sitting on the bank
high and dry
I did not get dragged in
I just watched her waters flow
until she said
“I feel better now”