To a Sad Friend

You’re all oystered up,
The grain of sand in your tender flesh
Turning pain into trauma.

(What pearls emerge from irritation!
What strength from bitter weakness!)

Sweet seed pearl, friend,
The shadows from your eyes
Arouse my own cruel ghosts.

(What they show me of myself.
What they teach me of lost love.)

Now and then unshell yourself with me.
I dive deep for your treasure,
And you reflect my beauty and survival.

(Somehow, I know, I add to your creation;
Somehow, you know, we birth each other.)