Friends

I always knew
we were gonna be friends.

That warm evening
I saw the flaw
in your trusting eyes.

I didn’t know
what to do with all
the music beneath
our combined ribs.

With the summer
night air in our lungs.

With our cold hands
and dried lips.

With how full
my empty stomach felt.

With that ugly,
starving thing inside me
mistaking itself for love.

I didn’t know.
And still I reached.
I couldn’t stop.

Thank you, and
forgive me, Lord.

---

I always knew
we were gonna be friends.

That tired afternoon
I first held you
in my shaking arms.

I didn’t know
what to do with
your bird-bone wrists,
your fever-warm breath,

or with the years
I was about to trade
for your little smiles.

With the sin of fatherhood,
my unconditional love,
or the selfish longing
to see myself in you.

I didn’t know.
And still I stayed.
I couldn’t turn.

Thank you, and
forgive me, Lord.

---

I always knew
we were gonna be friends.

That sunset
of your sunrise.

I didn’t know
what to do with
the nightmares you threw
into my well.

With your kindness
and my vanity.

With the words I kept
and the ones I gave away
too easily.

With all the sweet gestures,
and sweeter still—
the naive lies.

I knew enough.
And still I did.
I could not.

Thank you, and
forgive me, Lord.

---

I always knew
we were gonna be friends.

Anywhere I go.
Anyone I touch.
Anything I love.

I always knew
we were gonna be friends.

Me, Lucy and God.

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