our friendship has always been
platonically stitched, with letters
that start with I was thinking about you today
and could probably end with can I just hold your hand?
maybe to feel its warmth or be close to another human when
we're both so far from romantic assurances--bothered by neither
departures or the static created by bodies nearly touching. If one
were to use the other it would go both ways, kisses, while inherently
affectionate might just be to feel lips on lips the way grade-schoolers do



but we have known each other for years with gaps, and if you asked
me to be completely honest, I would. But to broach this would mean
relinquishing the rights to such sincerity--something only you or I
have the power to do. And I

prefer it this way.
never having held
your hand but knowing
if I asked, you'd say yes.