You don't need anyone in life
You are independent and strong
You preach the uselessness that is human affection

"It's a common infection, everyone will get over it sooner or later" you say

You like to be alone

So you never reach for the phone or a pen to contact a friend because who needs friends

You sit by yourself at the bar, the fourth stool from the right on a Thursday night
You watch people enter, meet their people, leave with people

You are intrigued but not affected

The bar tender observes your observations
The way your fingers drum the counter more rapidly when you listen in on their conversations
the lock of your gaze as hugging goodbyes are shared between relations

The bartender places his dish rag beside your half empty glass

His eyes meet yours and he says
"Darling you can make love to your tonic and gin
But it will never hold the warmth of human breath and skin"

You look into his eyes and suddenly you understand
Why it's important to sit knee to knee and why you hold hands
You press your hand into the glass countertop
Reach across the bar and grab the bar tenders hand
Bring his face to meet yours and bask in the heat of his humanity

You do not need anyone

But you do not need to be alone.