Poem For A Friend

When you come towards me your eyes 

Wander somewhere other 

Somewhere further.

Than my face.

A chair in this classroom or a car on the street or some empty space.

But rarely or never at my face.

So i see your eyes but you do not see mine

Your eyes are always dark in your anger but sometimes

They seem to bleed. Bleed like I do.

And your teeth are so vicious when you swear but 

They are white and flat and sparkle like mine do 

And your nose is crooked and your hair is unmade your fingers long and I could be writing a self portrait

No, you are tall and broad and dangerously muscular and I,am so small that I rely on my tongue and my ability to offend you and I mimic courage with my ability to hide fear.

But you are dark,

 a shade of fresh flooded mud like I am. 

And why is it that when I am angry at the frailty of my arms I throw punches at you or the thought of you that land on your nose and your eyes and your dark cheeks which are so much like my own?

And I wonder, when you swear at me or when you throw punches towards me but never with your eyes in mine? Whose eyes do you avoid?