intimate

i think, really
friends are perhaps
the most intimate 

there is family, first
i love you because i know you 
because you loved me first
because you took care of me
because you held my hand 
as i fell 
and this is 
overwhelmingly intimate as well

then love,
fingers laced between yours
a head on your shoulder 
excitement to grow older 
i love you because 
i like to be held 
because i know you so well
because you are so beautiful 
because you are so kind
because i want to inject myself
into the grooves of your mind 

and then, there are friends 
i love you because 
i like your company
i love you because 
of all you have done for me
i love you because 
time spent with you
is time i could have been alone
and was not 
no obligations, here
not bound by the fear 
of remaining intact through blood 
no kisses exchanged 
for a kind-minded brain 
just two people the same
sharing time 
i love you because 
in all of this life
you spend a little of yours 
in mine 

and i spend
a little of mine
in your mind. 

12:50pm - 12/01/26