For my friend who loves our other friend romantically

When I Tell You I Love You...
When I tell you I love you, do not take offence
I know you harbour hate and my love stabs
But please my love, do not take offence
I loved you, I truly did

I loved you, I love you and I will love you

You are as a seed waiting to bloom
I would gladly nurture you and watch you grow
To study you through your metamorphosis would bless me
I smile upon the possibility of the seed
And I kiss the petals of the rose you will become

I love you, I do
I love all stages of you
From seed to rose
From hatred to joy

Take no offence when I say I love you
You as the ugly duckling and you as the swan
Change your feathers and form
But do not conform
Not as the others in the pond

You cloak yourself in malevolence
But allow me to love you
Do not take it as hate to the swan
Take it as love
Love for the ugly duckling

Shed your grey and shine as snow
Grow into a shining image
Smile at your mirage
Laugh at your glow

Do not take my love as an offence
If you cannot understand it, keep it
Keep it in your pocket for when you do
Take my love in its tender intent

For my friend who doesn't love me back

Unrequested poem
You did not ask for this poem
At least you did not speak of it
Perhaps you begged me for this verse
You requested it as you smiled and traced my skin

Your smile from across the fire
Bright stars reflecting off of your eyes
Your face warm and glowing
Brought my heart to a flutter

You kiss my body and tell me you love me
We are just friends
At least that's what we say
I believe we dance on the edge
We aren't just friends, but we're not lovers

We joke I'm a hopeless romantic and you a player
I try and laugh as you kiss another one of our friends
I suppress hope for requited love
We hug and dance into the night

My love, I do love you
And if your happiness rests with her
I will help you
I will be content loving you from here

You did not ask for this poem with words
You only asked for it with your kindness
One day you may very well read this
One day we may laugh over these feelings

You are my friend
And I am yours
That is all that matters in the end
And so I will stand by you for years