v2
What is friendship but
us giggling under a shared umbrella
on the way to the bus stop,
the rain drenching us anyway;
us whispering to each other
in the school hall at assembly
till we get sent out to stand in the back;
us chatting non-stop
as we run round the field
during hockey practice
us calling the other without fail
on the stroke of midnight on our birthdays
well before cellphones became appendages;
us waiting for the other,
hours on end if need be,
for there must be a good reason;
us forgiving each other
for our idiocy,
the words spoken out of turn;
us wiping the other's tears
after each heartbreak,
ever loyal, never forgiving the guy;
us hearing that song on the radio
and bobbing in tune, remembering
our wild days at Kilimanjaro;
us saying the things
the other needs to hear
even if we would rather not listen;
us picking up from a conversation
just like yesterday
even if months have rolled by;
us holding fast to the other
even if oceans swell between us
today.
----
what is friendship but
us forgiving each other
for our idiocy,
for the rage,
the words spoken out of turn
us waiting for the other,
hours on end if need be
for there must be a good reason
us wiping the other's tears
after each heartbreak
pouring scorn on the guy
who could not see your worth
us whispering to each other
in the school hall
and chatting as we jog
around the track at the start of hockey practice
picking up from a conversation just like yesterday
even if sometimes months have rolled by
us calling the other without fail
on the stroke of midnight on our birthdays
on landlines well before cellphones became appendages
our fierce loyalty to the other
the ready shoulder to cry on
our love for the other
to love the other knowing all our flaws
and loving anyway
seeing your children as mine
and mine as yours
and knowing that we can turn to the other
if (when) they hurt us?
1the courage to speak honesty
even if we would rather not hear it
and the humility to listen
because it comes from the other
you marking my essays for me
the eve before I get married
organised a party
you and I giggling under a shared
umbrella whiwl the rain drenched us anyway
both with two plaits
and us ditching
the same song on the Airways gets us grooving in our seats
memories of carnage melon and asoka
us holding fast to one another
even if now oceans swell between us
you and I, always
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