The Enemy Within | Jude Chukwuemeka Muoneke

The friendly foes
My deadly companion
We wine and dine together
But you kiss and kill.

I confide in you
With my deepest secrets
But you betray the trust
You caused me tearful laughter.

Secretly you stab me
at the back,
Physically you pat my back
In pain you smile at me,
Humans are unpredictable.

Trust an expensive virtue
Only the Creator is dependable
Men are fallible,
Cupidity and selfishness
the driving force.

Eschew or convey the cross
of misery,
Hurt not the heart that kisses you
There might be a reversal of fortune
What goes around comes around.

Poet's note: This is a social poem. Its explores the nature of man, stating clearly the fallibility of man to man. In the journey of life betrayal is inevitable but its hurt to see the one you trust to betray you. Many a friend is a wolf in a friend's clothing. Only God is trustful, because He cannot and will never fail. This poem cautions all humanity to put their trust in God, advising humans to be cautious in choosing friends, because the enemy is within.