What is friendship?

What is friendship but the sound of shoes pacing
on concrete pavement, the heightened sense of new colors,
the glaze of marble on the floor,  the white from teeth
on new faces,  of unfamiliar conversations going on
here and there, the clasp of hands, warm when grasped,
and  dozen pairs of eyes locked at you peering,
wondering, studying, until the moment stops
and a stranger says 'hello'-

What is friendship but the strength of a hug,
locked and held, and arms that would not release,
on pavement so familiar, the hardness of marble,
its glaze softened by tears that fell on it, by shoes
that walked on it, blurred visions and cheeks doused
with tears, warmth of bodies that one will miss,
in spaces they fill, in one's heart,
until a friend says 'good-bye'-