Inner Friends

When in distress I call upon

The inner friends I know

I realise the many tears and fears

To them I've had to show

As I travelled through endless pain

And when I nearly died

I understand their great effort

As on them I had relied

I looked and saw within my mind

My well known friend called Hope

She sat on a broken chair

Still making sure that I could cope

I could see that she was weak

And thin and, oh, so frail

Years of non stop working

To make sure I didn't fail

Next to her, holding her hand

I recognised Patience's face

I hadn't understood before

They lived in the same place

Dressed simply, she was very pale

Each eye hidden by dark ring

From lack of sleep for many years

Yet still, I heard her sing

I walked along a few more steps

And in front of me I saw

Crawling on her hands and knees

Enthusiasm, on the floor

Oh dear, I thought, what has happened

The strain had been too great

She said she would not give up

But was pondering her fate

To her side, walking with a limp

Determination soon arrived

'We walk together through any storm

That's how you survived

But, yes, we are very tired

And our energy is diminished

Promise us you will let us know

When your task is finished'

Courage plodded on her own

Upright and stern of face

'No one will beat me' she said

But , I'm weary of this space

One day I shall have a rest

But not till you are through

For the foreseeable future, fear not

I shall walk along with you'

Endurance is remarkable

The mother of them all

Like a safety harness

Preventing a fatal fall

Her example shows the way

As she shares her tireless strength

So all keep going along the road

Despite it's seemingly endless length

'Thank you one and all', I said

'Without you I know I 'd fail

I have needed your constant help

Against all elements to prevail

Your combined presence takes me

Through each awful day and night

One day this darkest cloud will lift

Then, I'm sure we shall see some light'

 Poem is copyright ACoatesworth. 2011                                    This poem will be in my next poetry book, Kaleidoscope BK 2. All my books are now available as Kindle Books on Amazon and can be bought on-line in USA from The Book Patch or, in UK  from PLP Publishings