We haven’t spoken for a while,

the telephone more like an instrument

of sarcasm in your hands and the last time

I heard from you was for the voice of introspection

to try and take control of a person’s thoughts

and life that wasn’t yours to observe upon;

for the running commentary via the modern way

of stripping flesh from bone but with the crocodile

concern and false eye tear that suited your demeanour

as you laid into me, despite me having been

your only friend for a while and one who never