The Two of You

There are two of you
who inhabit that body.
One is who you are with friends;
the other is who you are with me.

When you are with your friends,
the shield you wear
is impenetrable, as
you pretend not to care.

You act as if
whatever they do,
couldn’t possibly ever,
have any effect on you.

But, I saw the hurt
written on your face
when you friend was cruel.
…You handled it with grace.

I asked you once:
Why do you stay?
I know you don’t like them,
so why be their clay?

You told me that
you had nowhere else to go.
Not wanting to be mean,
you keep putting on your show.

I said you could join us,
but you didn’t want to.
Maybe it was a wretched idea,
but what I said was true.

However…
When you talk to me,
you’re both sincere and truthful.
When you’re finally being real,
my heartstrings it does pull.

I could be a better friend,
than they’d ever be,
so if you need anything [ever]
you can always count on me.

My memories are what cause me
to fall in love with you.
So, now I’m stuck here pining
with nothing else to do.

I hope that one day
Again talk can we,
So that I can see the real you
being who you’re truly meant to be.