The Beverages of Friendship
December We walk past in silence, Glassy eyes staring straight ahead. I do not know you, nor you me. We are strangers, a glass of plain water. Odourless, tasteless, blank. January Laughter rings through the balmy January air. Our ponytails sway in lyrical tandem as we walk in step. We are friends. We are a mug of steaming cappuccino, wafting from within the aroma of roasted coffee beans. June Hushed whispers. Of inside jokes, of secrets, of insecurities. We are best friends, sisters. We are a tumbler of piping hot macchiato. With the comfort of warm milk, the blunt honesty of espresso, and caramelised sweetness. We are golden. October We smile politely, you avert your eyes. The echoes of quickened footsteps in the hallway. We were best friends. Now we are an iced latte, remaining but a hint of syrup. The days are colder. December We walk past in stony silence You stare dead ahead with glazed eyes While I, I take a sudden interest in my surroundings. We are a cup of brewed Robusta coffee. The fragrance pierced by a sharp bitterness, Of blame, of regret.