Hi! It’s a bit of a different vibe this week — I wrote a poem! Which is brave, since I am the first gay woman in her twenties to write a poem. Here it is!
She Loves to Visit
She loves to visit her friends
In their cities
In their 1 year leases
In their crises
In their love stories
She loves to visit her friends
And steal their fancy soaps without asking
Eat their fancy bread without asking
Know how they are without asking
She could run the Board of Friend Tourism
Visit her friends — they have everything!
Gossip
Embarrassing Memories
Her favorite chips
Come see the sites:
Her friend’s favorite bar
(They win at trivia every week)
Her friend’s favorite restaurant
(Do not get the beets)
Her friend
(Still there)
The couch is actually pretty big
The air mattress is surprisingly comfy
Sorry, I sleep diagonally but just shake me and I’ll move
I’m not setting an alarm
This feels like a dream
I have a meeting at 10 but there’s a great coffee shop 7 minutes away
Let me show you how to work the TV, there’s three remotes
The shower works the opposite of how it looks
I’m waiting for a package if someone knocks
I move a little different now
She loves to visit her friends
Judge The Boyfriend in person
(He’ll be gone soon)
Judge The Facebook Marketplace Couch in person
(Even cuter in person)
Judge The Eating Disorder in person
(Better than in college)
Her friend doesn’t usually go out but fuck it let’s do it
She doesn’t usually stay in but should we watch season 9?
Her friend always calls but tonight she’s right here
She never answers but tonight she’s right here
She wishes she didn’t have to visit her friends
And knew their addresses without asking
Knew their friends’ names without asking
Could come over without asking
3 months in advance
But she loves to visit her friends
She loves to be a guest
She loves to squeeze in the back seat
Beth is driving — did I tell you about her?
Yes the one with the nephew
I’m in for the weekend
I got here yesterday
I got here this morning
I drove — like 8ish hours?
I’m flying out Monday
I know her from college
I know her from high school
Yes, I know her from improv, don’t tell anyone
I know her from being at my brother’s funeral without question
I know her from the bathroom floor
I know her from I brought you food but I’m mad about it
I know her from the song she thinks I’d like
I know her from the fight in 2016
I know her from introducing me to chickpeas
I know her from teaching me how to share a couple entrees
I know her from when I only wore maroon
I know her from when she only wore ironic t-shirts
I know her from rooibos tea
I know her from one potato chip after dessert
I know her from the voice memos
I know her from does this go together?
I know her from you have to break up with her
I know her from taking all day to finish a beverage
I know her from when we were both straight
I know her from when one of us was straight
I know her from 2 AM
I know her from tequila shots
I know her from half a beer
I know her from orange wine, and olives
I know her from her lunch break phone call
I know her from her drive home phone call
I know her from her wedding, one day
I know her from raising our kids together, one day
I know her from breaking up with you is the nicest thing he ever did
I know her from breaking up with you is the nicest thing she ever did
I know her from that guy who called her “buddy“
I know her from her promotion she hasn’t told anyone about
I know her from the mistake she hasn’t told anyone about
I know her from curl cream
I know her from toothpaste for sensitive teeth
I know her from her meds
I know her from oh my god I forgot to tell you
I know her from I know things are weird right now but I wanted to tell you
I know her from I’m so glad you told me
I know her from college
I know her from high school
I know her from home
I know her from home
I know her from home
I know her from me
I know her
Can’t wait to visit
(if you want more poetry, subscribe to my friend Brooke’s substack or check out my friend Amy’s instagram: @amyallenpoet).
Hi, I'm wondering if I can use this poem? I just. I bought a house. And I'm going from 500sqft in the city away from everyone, visiting friends and family and godchildren so regularly, and I've settled, and now I have room for those people to visit me. Reading this got me so good, and I would love your blessing to print it and frame it by my guest room. Anyways, let me know. Would love your thoughts on formatting/font/etc. My email is xantheanik@gmail.com , shoot me a message anytime. Thanks for sharing this love with the inter-world.