Valor

 

She claimed to be a friend

I had no reason to doubt her

She said she knew where I lived      

and where my secrets were buried

She knew the best time to kick a man

is when he’s on the ground.

It seemed a friendly encounter

until she showed her hand.

She said, “You wear your illness like a badge.”

I replied, “No, you’re wrong, I wear it like a medal.”

She said, “You seem inordinately proud.”

I said, “Because I’ve won a thousand battles.”

She said, “Those battles were only in your mind…”

I replied, “Those are the battles that are hardest to fight.”