Love and Friendship

As merry as a bird was I,

Enjoying youth’s freedom:

At peace with all the world was I;

And reaching for wisdom.

The path of life alone trod I,

Content with solitude,

Until the moment you came by

And changed my attitude.

You crossed my path. I glanced at you,

And in your ways found charm;

And thought I that befriending you

Could never do me harm:

Befriending you no task found I,

For you spoke first with me;

And great friends grew we by and by;

Alas! Had it so to be!

But something in you attracted me;

I know not, but somehow

I wished mine own you’d someday be

And friendship changed to love.

But if you were just a friend to me,

Behaved you more than one;

For ‘tween love and friendship when you define,

Together they cannot run.

And if I to you were just a friend,

Why treat me more than so?

If not what caused your love to end?

How did your new love grow?

What was your reason, game or cause,

That I may never know:

But the free and cheerful youth I was,

I won’t be anymore.

Eric Anthony Trott

1982