Your introverted friend

by Maxine Rose Munro

is a gift. A tiny, unshowy gift
that sits at the back of a gaudy pile,
wrapped discretely, presented
to very few,

for should your introverted friend
come to meet you,
rest assured their heart
pulls them to you,

so much so,
that they abandon beloved alone
to be two, with you –
only you count.

Your introverted friend won't see
the neighbour, the dog-walker, the gossip
outside the shop. They won't
let themselves be late.

And when you sit together in cafe,
park, pub, the ages spent apart
leaning on your extrovert friends,
you'll forget,

because your introverted friend
becomes the moment
you pivot around,
life slows down,

and your introverted friend
gifts you time
in which only you matter.