The Other Daniel

He has better luck with women. He doesn't obsess over them, walks next to them with an easy gait, much like his unforced conversation. His smile is spontaneous, never phoney. Several girls have told him they like it, that made him smile broadly, and proves my point - of difference. He prefers to spend his free time in company. To this end, he has a plethora of acquaintances, and many activities and sports, just in case one is needed to pass the time with one of those acquaintances, who help him keep SOLITUDE in its proper place - which is in my life.... He has pursued several jobs, but never a career. Boredom is one of his major issues, and he says a career is one of society's way of confining you, of stunting you. He borrows my words and phrases, when we talk like this. Once he mumbled a thank you, but usually we avoid anything emotional or sentimental. We are, after all, closer than brothers. clones really, mirror-images that reflect those differences which define the negative space we occupy in each other's reality. These are my words again. I aim to be precise and coherent in all my communications. To that end, I gave up prayer many years ago. It was a conscious decision, not a whim, I thought my way out of belief in prayer. He, on the other side of things, prays all the time, and never gives it a thought. He told me, but then regretted telling me. He got mad, and almost threatened me physically. I realized suddenly he could do me harm. Our bodies are identical, but he could easily hurt me: he has that killer instinct.... We drifted apart for a while early in the new century. There had been no argument, no rift. I guess he got bored. But that's been mended, and now we communicate, face to face, so to speak, every week. Just last week, he surprised me. He told me, he has read all 100+ poems I have posted at PoemHunter. 'I'd give my right hand to be able to write poems like yours, ' he said quietly, and the look on his face assured me he was telling the truth.