"You Can Only"

You can only love your friends,

but cannot make them stay.

The tighter you hold on

to those you cherish,

the faster and further they slip away.

You cannot - can never - make anyone stay.

You will only ever drive people away.

You might try not to get attached at all,

not to care too deeply -

and yet, you end up caring, anyway.

Ultimately, all you can do

is to remain true

to yourself:

give love,

and live in hope

that sometimes -

friends may even be genuine,

and actually want to stay.