esteemed, no more

He was my friend,

Held in esteem,

To be trusted,

Kept close.

Or so I thought.

Turns out he lied,

Connived,

Enticed,

Bribed.

But at what cost?

Life-long comradeship?

Year-long campaigns?

Month-long conflicts?

Week-long clashes?

All past.

Confidante, no more.

No blood-brother.

No close intimate.

No comrade.

Gone.

He was my friend,

Held in esteem,

To be trusted,

Kept close.

Or so I thought.