standing side by side we are a Venn Diagram
the only point of overlap our need

we call it friendship
but it is corrupted
moulded through necessity
and lack of choice

the need came first
who was just an afterthought

we are rent-a-crowd
rhubarb, rhubarb white noise
in the silent spaces of each other’s lives
props to distract the eye from empty chairs

it is greed and empathy in equal measure
we see each other in third person
both broken, complicated and difficult

but I see all the shades of you
I see your greens and browns and harsh yellow

You are tiger’s eye and opal
Not to my taste, but beautiful

I am rough quartz
unremarkable but solid

you want a dance partner
someone to sing with
I fold your laundry and water your plants