bestie

I ask him, are you happy? and he says that he is fine

as he looks away from me and toward some distant thought

searching for proof, forgetting to smile.

And now I can't remember the last time I've heard him laugh

I think it was last summer on my couch after a few glasses of wine

and a joke at our own expense.

We were falling apart with laughter until we cried

Our memories were always lined with tears.

I ask him again, are you happy? and he shrugs

as he looks me in the eye telling me all I need to know

nobody is smiling.