Barraqué, Un Homme Piquant
comme Moi
The newer teacher didn’t know me long
Before he asked, “You are a tetchy friend,
Aren’t you?” Mais oui, I think that it is wrong
For friends to treat us badly. There’s an end
To that discussion. What’s the use, I ask
Of having someone say he loves you when
He treats you disrespectfully? A mask
Of friendship’s reprehensible to men.
Who wants a mask or veil on manly eyes?
The point is frank emotion, if at all.
Male friends don’t have to be so very wise
To know that insults can only appall.
You want to be my friend? You’ll treat me well,
….
Or watch thorns grow and backbone prickles swell.