STORY-POEMS by Toni D. Helfrick, R.N. (Page 2 of 2)   Click on any underlined title below to be linked to that story-poem: “WHERE ARE THE FRIENDS?” “Our Emotions, As They Are” “MANY FLOWERS TO PICK” “Depression in the Family”  (click here for Page 1)   “WHERE ARE THE FRIENDS?” © Toni D. Helfrick Where are the friends who we shared laughter, tears, trials and triumphs with? Where are those who dined with, partied and just those who spent time with at our laughter? Where are they now, when I need them most? There are those who have chosen to back away, as though divorce were a contagious disease, and they feared having it. There are those who have chosen to befriend one or the other of us, and have taken sides, as if in a war. There are those who are taken up by their own lives, totally immersed in their own problems and were unable or unwilling to see that anyone else exists, let alone suffer. And, there are those who cannot understand that that there are any circumstances horrible enough to warrant a break-up, since their own circumstances have never been sad and they cannot imagine or fathom it. To them, we have smashed the family and irreparably scarred its members. How very sad to be so narrow-minded, so blind, so frightened and so intimidated by the failure of a couple. It is a bitter irony to see that those, on whom we thought we could depend, those who we stood by in their own times of trouble and torment, catastrophe and personal problems are simply not there “for us”. The fair-weather friend rises rapidly to the surface, and floats away as flotsam on the sea. And, as odd a phenomenon as this, And, as odd as this is, the converse is also true. There who I never realized, were friends have emerged from the woodwork and stood alongside me, letting me know I am not alone. In times of strife, trouble or problems, such people appear, as if out of nowhere. They offer an ear, a shoulder to cry on, understanding, and assistance of every sort. Such friends as these are precious to me, and few. Yet, their encouragement is all I need to carry on. And, I hope I can repay them someday by being there either for them, or another in their hour of need. For, it is not at parties that we see our true friends- it is when adversity or tragedy darkens our doorstep.   “Our Emotions, As They Are” © Toni D. Helfrick The way we shame, the way we are- We seem to think that our thoughts Might be ‘not right’, but they try not to; When friends are here, it’s easy to enjoy friends. Somehow, in our childhoods, we have picked up Some thoughts of guilt, even though you just Forgot something.  Whatever would help us, Seems fine, but we are hesitant to say or do things, As they don’t want others not like us. All of us have been in elementary school, and nearly all Of these children, and albeit, yes, each of them Has somehow thought about someone who Laughed at them. They also are with a few People, mostly females, who are usually Wanting to be a friend, and also, being in a group. To all of us, we can easily recall a child who would not Put someone on their team in basketball. I have not seen such a thing with little girls, and Also, teenagers are in with the ‘popular’ group, And it takes a while for them to like us. God forbid that these children or teens simply Cannot be spurned. But once they have grown Older and yes, even in college or work. So many of your friends or acquaintances should Likely be nice to them.  Not so. There are some persons who enjoy watching others Who tries hard to make them face poorly. For some, it is their idea of control, though they Do not know what that was. By bothering others And being unkind, this helps the older person who Most certainly find that they are now happy that They would not move. They sometimes laugh at Them, and also, they sometimes giggle or smile. After a time, we will all learn who will be our fine Friends, and hence, this will help us all to see, What kind of people who have no care or kindness? I presume that those who were called names, or Have done pranks, much to their chagrin. This is only for those who need to know how to Deal with these situations, and by living through all This, it teaches them to simply see them as who They are.  When the person who is kept from the Group knows well which people would want to be With them, as a friend.  And, also, they can now trust.   “MANY FLOWERS TO PICK” He watched, sadly, as she drove down the wooded path The many weeks, hours and moments they had consumed Fine food, wine and each other, replayed themselves Over and over, all in his mind- He breathed a long sign and opened the wine Wine that they would have had, were she still there. His thoughts were of the last days he spent with Claire- Whatever had gone wrong that had caused her to leave? He wondered why she could not understand the situation. After all, he was here in Maine in the cottage with her- During the summer months, yet in winter he went home Home to his wife and children, though, he thought that was ‘fine’. “It’s the way some women are, I guess, they don’t get it. How could I ever leave my wife and son who are my world- Why couldn’t Claire see that she was just as important? Surely, she didn’t expect me to give all that up for a triste, Wonderful though, it was.” Soon, the wine began to warm him and he even felt Remorse... remorse for having finally been honest with her. “Why, if I had never mentioned it, she’d never have known. She’s up here in Maine, far from my family. Sometimes, It just doesn’t pay to be honest and forthright.” “But then, I really wasn’t honest. I was smitten with Claire, and I Couldn’t bear to lose her. In the beginning it would have Been too much. I just couldn’t have risked losing her. Such beautiful green eyes and what a lovely woman. A classy lady she is, and I think she still loves me. She’ll Come back- I know she will. How could she ever forget- The cool nights, ocean breezes, moonlight cocktails, and, me?” Finishing the wine, he then fell asleep, dreaming of Claire And he awoke suddenly with a start. It had been raining, Most of the night, and he had overslept and nearly missed his Flight. He literally threw all his clothes into his Bags, dressed hastily, and left for the airport. The road Had washed out and he feared not making it, but finally He got through and made the flight. “Can I help you, sir?” said the flight attendant. “Yes, my Dear, I’ll have some Cabernet, red.” He thought, what lovely Legs she had, and her hair was long and swept up in the Back. He just loved it. As he read the flight magazine, he thought, “One can Always find another lady”, he thought, comforting himself. “I’ve done It many times before and I can do it again. There are Many flowers to pick and I intend to find the right one.” On his long flight back to Arizona, he again slept, and It would be a long time before he finally realized he Couldn’t play both ends against the middle! But somehow, deep in the pit of his stomach, He knew he was right, and would win out, again… © Toni D. Helfrick, R.N   “Depression in the Family“ She sighs and glances at her husband, Who sleeps on and off, even with dreams. She wakens the children, calling them to dress, And to eat their breakfasts. Mr. Wonderful is Irritable, annoyed, and annoying to others. The children wonder, "Should we talk, or eat?" No, at this morning, they realize, 'tis not the time." Children of any age can sense anger, depression, Or even a loud voice; at times they jump, Worrying, "What will happen next?" And,"Why is Daddy so angry?" The little girl hugs her teddy bear, and fears. The father sees the tears on her cheek. Mother is frightened that he might pick on her. "What's the damned tears coming from?" "You know most people are polite and good And friendly. What about all of you?" He goes on, "And Jimmy, get that stupid shirt Off, cause it doesn't match. The pants are ugly." The little girl and Jimmy are good together. They know that Jimmy will help the others, and They will also protect his siblings. It isn't a wonder why Jimmy doesn't do homework. When Dad comes home, he's had a few beers, His eyes look funny, as Jimmy said, and this makes Them all frightened. Later in the week, after the Children were called back to school, Mother went. To an extent, Mother is a protector, and she walks On eggs. After school, she met with the teachers, And Mother was ashamed to tell them anything about What was happening at home, and privately, she Told the teachers of her children, and also, she Asked them not to tell them anything. Both the child, The Mother and the teachers seemed to know well What they thought was happening at the home, and They were fearing having Father angry, especially When the fault was his. Mother easily learned how To make excuses, and she begged the children to Go to school, and do their work. Mother was a Classic Enabler, a person who protects someone Who is going to be punished or harmed, or a person Like her husband, who ruled the roost, and she often Protected him. Social Services were informed of This family, and there would be a number of Meetings, and Mother was going to go. Father said "I'll have nothing of this garbage." "We are a fine family," he grimaced. Social Services might, at the end of the meetings, Decide to be quite different. The parents asked for Assistance, and Social Services agreed to keep Them, usually monthly. The Social Worker reminded Them that if the children were not treated properly, Or were afraid, they could be placed in a foster home. The mother of the children argued that the children are Fine, and she would care for them. Unfortunately, she Was unable to convince them to change their home, And the dysfunctional home in which they lived. Jimmy's older brother returned home a few days ago. His name was Joe, and he had travelled across the Country. He had left home because of his father's Corporal punishment. Father wasn't very happy. This is a composite of many children, some Battered, some verbally abused, and all the kids Fear being with their parents. Mother tries to keep Others quietly, so that there would not be loud noise. This is a story of many of the children I have cared for, And those who have been in a dysfunctional home Need to talk to others who can help them, whether they Are small children, teenagers, or any others in the home. NOTE: The story-poem is fictional, as incidents and names have been changed. © Toni D. Helfrick, R.N   “Another Day” - story-poem in eight parts Other Story-Poems - Page 2 “The Colorado Gambler and The Lady” - story-poem series “River For the Lonely” - story-poem series Poetry by Toni D. Helfrick Essays by Toni Short Stories by Toni   Website Home Page