I Thought

I thought I had a family friend; he stabbed me in the throat.

I thought I had a plant-based friend; he skewered my skin for a coat.

I thought I had a vegetarian friend; his blades blended my brother.

I thought I had a “journeying” friend; his milk meant rape for Mother.

I thought I had a humane friend; he murdered me for his meal.

I thought I had a welfare friend; he helped me heal for veal.

I thought I had an organic friend; he bred my bigger breasts.

I thought I had local friend; he followed whose friends fattened best.

I thought I had a shepherd friend; he grazed on graves for God.

I thought I had a prophet’s friend; my paid pain made prayers fraud.

I thought I had a vegan friend; his silence sent souls to hell.

I thought I had an activist friend; his spite less spared did spell.

I thought I had a lifelong friend; he bored bearing this burden.

I thought I had a single friend; such luck now seems less certain.

Don’t leave me.