FRIENDS NO MORE

we met a few years ago at a writers’ convention
and became friends instantly
a miracle that happens once in a blue moon
we began to collaborate
I, submitting work to his magazine
he, writing poems for my art books
we were bosom friends
considering each other no less than blood brothers
he then offered to write my biography
I had tears in my eyes, especially when he said,
after I had experienced an umpteenth letdown
from two fellow writers,
“you have my unconditional friendship”
he too had problems, first with his bank
then with his parents’ illnesses
I would call him over the phone several times a week
and he would feel appeased
I helped him financially, it was the least I could do
in the meantime, my own sister got breast cancer
I almost lost my health insurance
because of an error I had made when
signing the initial contract
and what’s more, the French IRS
taxed me for a huge amount, a mistake on their part
which would take them months to recognize
then things started to change
I needed his moral support
and suddenly he had no more time for me
I sent him pressing emails
then he replied accusing me of demanding too much of him
and said I hurt his feelings
he even alluded to a break of our bond
I didn’t understand the tenor of his reply
but apologized nevertheless
I sent a second email, reiterating my friendship
then left a message on his answering machine
having no response I panicked
and wrote a virulent email, reminding him of our past bond
telling him that if only he could pick up the phone
everything would go back to normal
he finally answered by email, sending me to hell,
saying he didn’t want to hear from me ever again
unconditional friendship: had I ever heard that phrase?
electronic communication can be wonderful
but never forget that the human voice
is the most precious of all and it is irreplaceable