Because I love you,

I listen to your gossip and grievances

about your lovers

and I hold you still when you

lose control of your body to your memories

and I teach you how to ride a bike

like your father should have

Because you love me,

you let me keep you up at night with my

rants about congressmen

and you hug me with arms like

cotton blankets and early sunsets

and you promise we’ll always be

the sort of friends we both needed as kids

Because we love each other,

we never lose touch

even as our dreams throw us apart