Reading your poetry

makes me feel as though you’re here with me

Still breathing rhythm into my rambling

You are struggling

With your identity

       Your family

       Your beliefs

       Your false idols (straight white boys)

You are teaching and being taught

without me

But when I see your poetry

It is summer

And we have each just written 30 poems

We are tired and proud

And full to bursting

And we are trading verses like trading cards

Like the best kinds of candy at Halloween

And we are paradoxically interwined