Yann Rolland Poet Free verse

friends' words

It’s better to know who your enemies are,
Better to know who your friends are,
The poet who praises our evil books,
The little girl who smiles at Red Santa,
The elephant that shakes the furious baobab,

Better to know who your friends are,
It’s better to know who your enemies are,
The pharmacist who never believes anyone,
The cinema that sells sweets to grand ma,
The supermarket that lacks politeness on Monday,

It’s better to know who your enemies are,
Better to know who your friends are,
The journalist or the housekeeper,
The curious baker or the nice hairdresser,
The monkey in his cage or the Albanian doctor,

One must often smile at one’s enemies,
You often have to lie to your old friends,
To the footballer, to the snake charmer,
To Queen Claude, the insolent young factor,
The muse who loves you, asks you everything.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Speaks Volumes February 7, 2024 at 4:05 AM Knowing who your enemies gives you two choices, I always find dear Yann. firstly it gives you the chance to avoid them, but better yet, you can eliminate your enemy by making them your friend. Your poem is thought provoking dear Yann. ( I think it would be exciting to have a friend who is a snake charmer ! ) cheers from Wen Yann Rolland February 20, 2024 at 10:17 PM such an excellent comment, SV you enlighted my day, and heart, muchas gracias yann

Bill Baker February 3, 2024 at 11:14 PM Intriguing thoughts you've given us in this thought-provoking poem, Yann. A lot to think about, my friend. Have a pleasant Sunday! Bill Yann Rolland February 4, 2024 at 4:55 AM Thanks Bill, may be i am just an european guy who think too much, have a nice week

Jerry Brotherton February 3, 2024 at 2:03 PM Better to know but often hard to recognize, who your friends and enemies are. Food for thought my friend. Well done, Yann. Yann Rolland February 4, 2024 at 5:01 AM well said Jerry, i will meditate about the concept, we don't know who are our enemies, when we don't know them, , there is a little contradiction with recognitionn, thanks for stopping by kindly

Silent One February 3, 2024 at 10:57 AM poem's assertion that one must often smile at one's enemies and sometimes lie to old friends highlights the complexities and compromises inherent in social interactions. It challenges conventional notions of loyalty and authenticity, prompting us to reevaluate our relationships and the roles we play in them. Yann Rolland February 4, 2024 at 5:03 AM Thanks So, i wish i would be more positive in future, your comment is precious and thoughtful, may be i have to manage my thoughts again, have a nice week

Kim Rodrigues February 3, 2024 at 6:45 AM Great refrain, Yann, and pondering over who your friends and enemies are. Love the imagery you created in the first verse. It made us feel before you presented more examples. A fave! Yann Rolland February 4, 2024 at 5:04 AM thanks Kim, may be gettng old, my enemies are more faithful than my friends, enjoyed your support, have a nice week

Ink Empress February 3, 2024 at 3:19 AM So very well delivered, and well said, it is always better to know , enemies and friends, and their intentions, to know, is truly something we must do. Wise write! Well delivered. Pleasure reading this. Sending you light Yann Rolland February 4, 2024 at 5:06 AM Thank you so much IE, your comments make alwways mr think twice, thanks for sharing peace, and wisdom have a nice week

Sara Kendrick February 3, 2024 at 12:53 AM Yes, it is best to associate with friends than with enemies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Sara K Yann Rolland February 4, 2024 at 5:07 AM Thanks sara, enjoyed your supportive words, have a nice week