The Pair

He sat in the shade at the start of fourth grade,
with a head that was polished and bare –
watching us boys making laughter and noise
but unwilling to join the affair.

I wasn’t sure why he would capture my eye,
why he stood out from all who were there –
perhaps looking down at his smooth shiny crown,
I was moved by his absence of hair.

The vibes he would send said he needed a friend,
but his feelings, he’d never declare –
as shy as he’d be, it was easy to see
he was caught in the midst of repair.

I played on a hunch while we sat eating lunch –
when he failed to acknowledge my stare,
I’d offer some cake that my mom used to bake,
since she packed me some extra to share.

I still can’t explain what I’d hoped to attain,
the importance of showing I care –
perhaps it would melt any pity I felt
for a loneliness no one should bear.

I could see in his eyes he was caught by surprise,
as the awkwardness hung in the air –
but he took it with grace and the smile on his face
said I’d broken his shell of despair.

Our friendship was sealed and some details revealed,
like the state of his medical care –
I was happy to hear that his tests were all clear
and so glad that he’d made me aware.

As grade-school went by, on to middle, then high –
the connection we happened to share
continued to last through the years as they passed –
we’d become an inseparable pair.

The ways we would see didn’t always agree,
but we never brought anger to bear –
I knew for a fact that he’d cover my back
and he knew that I’d always be there.

We both entertained other friends that we’d gained,
some unique and a few that we’d share,
but the title of “best” sits above all the rest
and it’s always confined to a pair.

One day he’d show with another in tow –
was a friend that he’d failed to declare –
a blonde with blue eyes – a spectacular prize,
I would have to try hard not to stare.

Took merely a glance to see signs of romance –
was a new kind of bond that they’d share,
I was glad for my friend, but I feared in the end
I’d be moving from ‘best’ down to ‘spare’.

From just him and me to a party of three –
though our time didn’t really compare,
I had to admit that I’d not mind a bit,
her presence was easy to bear.

It wasn’t too long before things would go wrong
for the first time – our tempers would flair,
our patience grew thin when a girl and two men
took a trip to where friends shouldn’t dare.

It didn’t take much – an occasional touch,
or a hug I might happen to snare –
she seemed to concur with my feeling for her,
but those feelings seemed very unfair.

That look in her eyes helped me rationalize
that our love was an answer to prayer –
but I knew in the end that my love for my friend
was the bond I was set to impair.

The very next spring – he would offer a ring
with a diamond shaped just like a pear –
my heart and soul wept when she chose to accept
what she seemed so excited to wear.

I’d be the best man as they walked hand in hand,
make a toast at their nuptial affair –
though I love both my friend and the wife he’ll attend,
I just can’t love them both as a pair.