Was A Friend - Robert Wyatt

You’ve been so kind

I know, I know

So why did I hurt you?

I didn’t mean to hurt you

But I’ll-

Funny kind of greeting, not exactly hostile

Not exactly facing, not exactly turning away

Not exactly frowning, not exactly smiling

Lurking by the door

Without a sign of wanting to move

Though hardly friendly, not an angry gesture

Did it make.

Just quite unnerving

It’s been a long time

I almost forgot were we buried the hatchet

«Bin a long time no see», (pidgin English

Native to none).

After several silences

A cautious head nod.

This could take forever

Did it want to come for a dig?

It did

Not answer.

I was feeling restless at the door

Ashamed of my fears.

Where WAS the hatchet?

Suddenly was gone.

I woke up

Feeling stupid.

No-one else awake

Though dawn was only minutes away

Quietly I rose to fill the morning pee pot

What a silly dream

Not like what really would have occurred

Old wounds are healing

Faded scars are painless — just an itch

We are forgiven

It’s been a long time