What is A Friend?

Chris took up the presentation training
They were given this piece to dissect
And read out loud... Touching...
This is my version of dissecting the piece
But somehow it reminds me of a Menguin class. lol

What Is A Friend?
C. Raymond Beran

What is a friend?
I will tell you.
It is a person, with whom,
You dare to be yourself.

Your soul can be naked with him.
He seems to ask of you,
to put on nothing,
only what you are.

He does not want you
To be better or worse.

When you are with him
You feel as a prisoner feels
who has been declared innocent.

You do not have to be on your guard.
You can say what you think,
so long as it is genuinely you.

He understands those contradictions in your nature
That lead others to misjudge you.

With him, you breathe freely.
You can avow your little vanities and envies
Your hates and vicious sparks
Your meannesses and absurdities
And, in opening up to him,
They are lost,
Dissolved on the white ocean of his loyalty.

He understands,
You do not have to be careful.

You can abuse him,
neglect him,
and tolerate him,

Best of all, you can keep still with him.

It makes no matter.

He likes you.

He is like fire that purges to the bone.

He understands.
He understands.

You can weep with him,
Sin with him,
Laugh with him,
Pray with him.

Through it all --,
And underneath --
He sees, knows, and loves you.

A friend?
What is a friend?
Just one, I repeat,
With whom,
You dare to be yourself...