Distant Closest Friend

You were good for me.
You taught me partnership—
Companionship,
Selflessness.

You reminded me why I work,
What I hold,
And who I am.

Through you, I saw my fullness,
My capability—
Not borrowed,
But mine.

You showed me my own capacity,
And why it must never run dry.

You also taught me
That I can feel deeply,
Cherish completely,
And still be fine.

But when I begin to take stock,
To keep tabs,
To count down—
That’s when I know:

You are not my home.
You were never my safe space.

And I?
I am not your home.
But I will always be
Your safe haven—
A port when you drift,
A harbor to heal in,
Before you set sail again—
To plunder new lands,
To gather new scars.

I see you.

And truthfully,
I like you best from afar,
Because I have no defenses against you.

So be my distant,
Closest friend.
Let us linger in banter,
Exchange well wishes—
And leave the rest
To silence.