My friend, I stand in judgment now,
And feel that you’re at fault somehow.
On earth I walked with you by day,
But never did you point the Way.
You knew the Lord in truth and glory;
But never did you tell His story.
My knowledge then was very dim;
You could have led me on to Him.
We lived together here on earth,
But never shared the second birth.
And now I stand this day condemned,
I wish that you had preached of Him.
You taught me many things, ’tis true;
I called you “friend” and trusted you.
But now I learn that it’s too late,
For you to keep me from this fate.
We walked by day, and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the Light.
You let me live and love and die,
But cared not if I’d live on high.
I called you “friend” in earthly life,
And trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet, on coming to my end–
I cannot, now, call you “my friend.”
–Anonymous
(Editorial note: Some editing of this poem was done to improve the meter)