To be in love is life’s greatest gift.
To feel, to know, to have the pleasure
Of lovemaking, to move the earth
To be enraptured by the form of your naked spouse.
It someday wanes away.
And cherished ought to be the friend
You have made
That you have had sex with
That you have made children with
That you have kissed, and shared in the most embarrassing moments.
Never do I say that love is bad.
For, it is God’s greatest gift to man
To feel in love for those four years
You have it.
Soon, the opium should turn
To peace. And friendship ought to be made
And conversations should be made.
Newlyweds in naked embrace feel so much.
Old couples in naked embrace say so much.
For, friendship ought to be the manner by which
A man and woman formed their bond.
Do not say to the little ones who are friends
Do not convince them of this
That it is imprudent to marry one you’ve been friends with for years.
Do not tell a man that he is a friend
That there can be no manner by which he may enter into your heart.
Whether he is ugly or beautiful
Or simply seen in a light…
Shed light on the promise of friendship
That it is more valuable than the opium of love.
For, friendship is true love.
B. K. Neifert 