You were drunk off sleep while you were talking… 

groggy and choking on tiredness,

and I could hear it on your tongue 

as we whispered to each other within the darkness of your bedroom.

You spilled from your lips like honey 

all of your one AM thoughts

all of the things you would ask only when drunk off sleepiness or alcohol.

“Do you remember the day we met, Tipper? 

Do you remember how we became best friends?

Do you remember how you would always clutch my skirt like I was your mother

and hide behind me from the rest of the world?

Do you remember how once, I was taller than you, 

and once, you were taller than me?

Do you remember how once, you never spoke

and we became friends because I was the only one who knew the language of 

written words?

Remember how we used to talk 

by writing haikus to each other in class? 

Remember how Ms. Rochford saw us passing notes once

and instead of yelling, 

she told us to join the poetry club?

Remember how you stood up in front of the class second day

and read one of your haikus 

in a voice strong and relentless like the ocean? 

Remember how I cried because I didn’t know how to snap at the end of your poem?

Do you remember how once, I was Tall Girl? 

And when I became Tall Boy, you accepted me completely?

Do you remember how much I love you?

Will you ever forget? 

Do you remember when our parents made us go to church together? 

It was last year. 

I got drunk off the holy wine, 

and you hid me in the bathroom stall for two hours

so no one would know. 

Do you remember that, Tipper?

Do you remember all of that?”

“Yes Tall Boy,” I said, “I remember.”