For Better, for Worse

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

“I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”  - Friedrich Nietzsche

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” – Ernest Hemingway

“It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.” – William Blake

It has happened to most if not all of us at some time or another, either as innocent victim or thoughtless perpetrator... a valued trust left in pieces, possibly reparable, given time and mutual understanding, but never quite the same again.

FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE

I take my time
to make friends and allies
with whom to bond
mutually, steadfastly and true
for better or worse,
as nature and human nature
treats us on good
and bad days, those lonely, sad days too,
our world, various shades of blue

I try to give as much
if not more than comes my way,
along such lines
as humanity in its finest hours
offers support
as a matter of course, no waiting
around while close ones
dither on what, whom, even whether to ask,
but instinctively up for whatever task

I will accompany
any friend or loved-one wherever
a last mile may lead us,
as he or she will, I know, do the same
for me, confiding
our hopes and fears for all our years,
whether or not
likely to flower, blossom, bear fruit enough
to sustain, inspire mind-body-spirit

I am Trust, among the strongest life forces of all,
yet, time and again, left in pieces by betrayal... 

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2022