Lovers and Friends

Who, but a lover, can disturb the moon
as it travels
romantically
to our perfect new destination

and who, but a lover, without malice aforethought
breaks hearts with hammered silence
then rallies with charm and touch

Who, but a lover, can agitate an artist's sea
as you, the innocent, pocket a dozen sea green love pebbles
and who, but a lover
can catch a prize and cast adrift in breaks between the tides

and who, save a friend, will fight for our last inch of skin
when we're skinned and boned alive
and what, even past midnight, will pat our crippled faces
till swollen tears scab over and die
and what, when others fail, will catch our shouts and slung around bottles...
but the hands of a dry silent friend.



Angela Norris 17th March 2010 (c)