Poem: Of Strangers and Friends

I walked along the road and towards me came a man unknown.
To me, he smiled and tilted his hat, before his hands came out and upon me pushed.
I twisted, I turned, I stumbled and fumbled, my footing lost I fell down once and then recovered.
Shocked I pushed him back with a curse and a sneer.

We bowed warily and backed away from each other until our distances were safe.
Then with a turn we both went our separate ways and left off thoughts of each other.

I walked along the road and toward me came a man known and beloved.
To me, he smiled and tilted his hat, before his hands came out and upon me pushed.
I twisted, I turned, I stumbled and fumbled, my footing lost I fell down once and then recovered.
Hurt I pushed him back with a cry and a tear.

We bowed graciously and in trust to the one I knew no distance was placed between us.
Then with a turn I went to leave and go my separate way.

Alas without safe distance, I did not see the knife.
And now my friend walks on his separate way and I am left here bleeding in the dust.