The Michael Toy

Poems and Other Programmes


my old friends


we don't speak anymore
once we laughed together
talked about how we'd spend an imaginary million dollars
threw popcorn at the tv
tried cooking things with strange ingredients
shared the most embarassing moments
kissed each other's babies
moved the same couches from house to house to house

now we nod, wave, and acknowledge
connected by disconnection
orbiting always showing the same face

i don't know which one of us
comitted the unforgivable sin
spoke the unmentionable word
or opened the door to the forbidden tower
sometimes i know it was my fault
sometimes i am sure it was yours

probably just enough of both
to make sure we uncomfortably
maintain a comfortable distance
wave and smile at each other
from opposite sides of the merry go round

if the worst comes to pass and we do not touch again
i hope to wake in a heaven
where i can cook you a horrible meal
and you can tell me that story about the zoo

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