If I asked my friends
to describe me in one word,
there is a high chance
that they would choose
“affectionate”
(or maybe “stubborn” if you’re Rosie).

For many years I avoided friendship,
because I was told to.
Any tentative friendships I made
would be ripped away from me
so I wrapped myself in a cloak
of bad attitude
to keep people at arm’s length.
I pushed away those who could have been
a support network to me
and lived alone,
apart from the one
who wanted to keep me isolated
so I wouldn’t realise how cursed
our relationship was.

Now I have friends,
I couldn’t imagine going back
to a life without them.
Each friend is important
in their own way
and I have so much love to give them.
So I hold them close
and give them kisses on the forehead
because I need them to know
that I love them.