OLD FRIEND

by PAULA

Dropped everything
for you
once again. Just like
you never left.

Big brown eyes, strong arms,
consuming me in a way
much less than what I’m used to.
Breath stopped, hitched, caught.

Caught up in the way you
looked at me, in a way much
different than what I’m used to.
Swear I thought I’d never
see you again, but here I am.

5 years gone, and I miss
my best friend, miss having
long talks all night.

Miss you holding me when I
drop tears like bombs, like time-
bombs sensitive to the advancement
of my life, unattached to you.

you tossed me like a grenade
and swallowed the key
like I had to swallow my dreams
of us.

Because people grow up,
grow apart, grow used to
separate lives.

And now I’m alone grinning
and bearing it, alone without you,
in a way much less than
what I’m used to.