I listen
when they talk behind each others' backs
I know they do the same to me
though I might sit
and act uncaring
I hear the insults and the anger
I've heard friends curse each other in separate rooms
then meet and act as if they never had problems
of course I don't tell
when person 1 complains about person 2
and person 3, person 1's best friend, completely denounces any friendship
these people, my friends, amaze me
I know the reasons why they are mad at each other,
but I don't know why they don't confront their anger
and just talk to each other
instead of talking around and about each other
with me as the silent witness

3-31-1999