Scrub Pine and Oak

Every relationship you have
With each other seems to tear you

Down until only loneliness
Unites you, and then it’s too late.

Maybe that’s what the hermits want.
Only the solitary love

Other humans wholly; only
Solitude loves humanity.

Of course not. You need company.
You ache for company. You die

For company. You have nothing
In common with company, but

You pretend, pretend heartily,
Tearing yourselves down to the studs,

At which point you all look the same,
Unrenovated and lonely.