Confession

The great Auden wrote a poem to two friends and ended,
“That within the circle of our affection
Also you have no double.”

Could this not be said of every friend?
That each holds a unique place,
And no two are identical?

Since childhood I have known I have rapacious wishes
In friendship. I want more than
An assurance that there is no clone of me.

That’s obvious. I want a poem to me to end,
“That within the circle of our affection
Also you are my favorite.”

I’m not saying that’s healthy.