changing friends

Friends
stretch out
in all directions
new and old
the minor acquaintance, lab partners in chemistry kind
and the kind that i run next to, both of us with lungs bursting
and then those that
i can actually have a real conversation with
there is some sort of connection
communication
a sense of humor
some glimmer of intelligence
not often found in a high school
and sometimes they are a wonderful cushion
all comfort and safety and giggles --
at least for the girls
but then there are moments
moments
when they drift
even the closest
and move towards others
am i losing you?
how did i miss you?
why?
why this expanse of
emptiness
between us?
why the awkward pauses?
how could silence once have been rich
with the warmth of our friendship
and now
only uncomfortable?
what happened?
have you changed?
or is it me?
have i been the one
to change
to grow
to stretch

towards another horizon?