Guest Poem by Kate Noakes

Kate Noakes lives in Bristol and has a PhD in Critical and Creative Writing from the University of Reading. Her most recent collection is Goldhawk Road (Two RIvers Press, 2023). Sublime Lungs is forthcoming from Two Rivers Press in Spring 2026. A pamphlet, Chalking the Pavement, was published by Broken Sleep Books in 2024. She is one third of the poetry performance group, Braid (www.braidpoetry.com). Her website is boomslangpoetry.blogspot.com. This poem is from Acumen 113.

Is it Crazy to Wish them Happiness?

Some friends don’t get angry in flaming emojis
or start nonsensical fights with others,

voice their disagreements in no uncertain terms
or claim superior knowledge of diverse subjects.

They don’t much like things. OK, they never like things
and leave you entirely alone messaging into the void.

Are these the best kind?
They don’t remember your birthday, but

a few times a year they arrive in your memories
or remind you of their special day.

That’s when you can’t avoid thinking of them,
as if you don’t every day.

Is it crazy to wish them happiness?
All those on facebook who are now dead.