best frenemies 4/24/12

with friends like these
who needs enemies
that’s how the saying goes
they know
your secrets and weaknesses
which buttons to push
how to
dial up your anger
til the screen reads red
when to
pop all your bubbles
make you seem like a fool
keep them close and
on a leash
don’t let them out of your reach
else you wake up wondering
who the hell gifted them keys
to your house your car your lover
your job your stocks and bonds
access to your children
pictures of your cats and dogs
front seats at your funeral
a say-so in your future and
a stake in your past
can’t rid yourself of the malingerers
tracking you down
and there’s nowhere left to hide
‘cuz you invited them in
and your first mistake was calling
your acquaintance a friend