after long periods when I have neglected my friend,
talking as we stride together side by side.
I try to clarify my point of view,
but mostly my conscience explains things to me.
We don’t always see eye to eye,
at least not when our walk begins,
our paths at times diverge
but my conscience always waits, patiently, for me to catch up.
At times I wish I could walk alone
for my friend, though a friend,
sometimes places obstacles into my path.
By walk’s end though
we are always again together
in better agreement
hand on shoulder
and I see again
that despite the tension now resolved
or rather because of it
I am better off, as always
for having this companion
at my side, and on my side.