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I have a friend
He talks intentionally loud in restaurants
when he knows I like to be considerate of others
He intentionally brings up sore points
That he knows stir my bad feelings
He intentionally mispronounces my grandaughters name
and smirks as he does so, because he sees it hurts me
He's obnoxious and to draw attention to himself he tells the waitress it's my birrhtay
though he know well I hate such displays
Though I'm unemployed and worried
he talks about the big bonus he received or about travel plans to Florida
He's known me a very long time
Sadly, this is one of my only friends
When no gift is necessary he'll buy something grandiose
And will many times later hold it up to the person, for effect
I remember when we were better friends
A reminder to me of how far life has strayed from what it might be
No wonder why I'm the silent type
So last night I corrected him on my grandaughters name
and told him...if you respect me...don't mispronounce it again!
To which he claimed the mistake was innocent.
To which I bite my tongue (because I might easily say a lot)
Knowing there is a limit to what a man can tolerate...and I'm at it
It dawned on me just now, he must be very unhappy
But he's taught me to be a better freind to others
Friendship should be guided by good intentions

©  James T. Adair

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