The Friend in Need

When a fellow’s doing fine

Making his finances shine,

Wearing of a broad-brim smile,

Underneath a brand new tile,

Dressed in tailor-fitted clothes

Knocking out his daily woes,

Sailing through this world of ours

On a river strewn with flowers,

Singing songs of careless joy,

‘Tisn’t then he needs you, boy.

When a fellow’s down and out,

Gone up the financial spout,

Trousers baggy at the knee,

Dwelling in his misery,

Sitting on the bench alone

Through no error of his own,

Hungry for another chance

In the swift commercial dance,

Vision on the mark he missed –

That’s when he needs your fist.

May 20, ‘10