I’m not sure if it was age or just the span of years 
that made me start to see everything so clearly 
Maybe it was when being more successful brought out true colors
Maybe it when I noticed my support system insignificantly shrunk
or when the bare minimum just wasn’t even being reciprocated 
You just learn to move on…
to keep moving up.
I was never the waiting type when it came to friends 
I never let my feelings about it hider my plans, or creative ventures
I was raised to keep on going
regardless of anyone or anything
I’m used to being the one you stop calling 
But I still gave people the benefit of a doubt 
Even when I was the first to reach out 
Busy is just busy,
until somebody needs something 
And suddenly, its as if time hasn’t changed a thing
once the heart remembers who I am when you feel lonely
…But when was the last time you and I were building?
I believe, there are your acquaintances 
Your ‘good time” people
And your “thick through thin” friends 
How ridiculously naive I was back then
It looked back only to laugh
Not everyone is your friend 
And people hardly ever have your best intentions

Illustration by: Fatima Seehar
Copyright 2019 Valerie Sanchez