An ode to my friend

I watch you from the side walk, you talking and laughing,

As I sit and speculate how do you do that? So effortlessly!

You and I share the same skin, the same language, values.

You and I share dreams, fights, even our attractions for same men,

I watch and observe, as you flirt, I see yet another person being yours.

And that’s where I become I and you the other, the exotic, valued.

And I become just a skin, cheek bones, and voice, too shrill.

I want to envy you, hate you, as my skin burns in rage.

I watch you from the sidewalk, side tracked, sideways.