© 1991
I - Beware Icarian Friends
For a moment I thought I'd fly into the Sun.
My friends said "Do it! Why not? Have fun!
You're adult, and you're free. You've a right to explore
what you want. Who you are. There are no holds barred.
So do you thing then let us know how good it was.
You deserve it. Don't fret what the World thinks or does.
Some of you waxed my wings. Some held me high
as drunk with excitement I rose to the sky.
My desire was focused on radiant Sunlight,
seeing the rapture I held as my Right.
By coincidence, then, I saw a blind flash,
heard blood-curdling screams of another's Sun crash.
That writhing hot agony was horrid to see.
I thought "OH MY GOD, OH GOD! That could have been me.
I fell from my fantasy, shaken withall.
No friend had warned of Icarian falls!
I could have lost everything I care about!
What fiend was it urged me to follow that route?
I wondered if my friends had all wished me ill,
or if they're just careless, or run-of-the-mill.
Where was their concern when I lost my cool head?
My reason was fuddled. "Follow it", they'd said.
One said "I was joking, and all I was doing
was helping you relish a mood you were brewing!"
II - Icarian Friends Beward
Well, hear now! I pick friends for reasoning so fine
It stands up beside me when I have lost mine!
What kind of friend were you? What kind will you be?
And what kind of friendship can you get from me?
Be sure, if my loved one should head for the Sun
they'd hear words from me of the risk that they run.
I may let their wings singe with some minor burning,
but not risk a charring death, even for learning.
There are all sorts of danger this could apply to, but this one relates to a friend of mine experimenting with drugs and me wrestling with what role I should play in cautioning him, and how he should appreciate my friendship for caring enough to confront him.
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