written for Julia B. Fitzpatrick
Julia and I met when Twitter was at its height, when COVID was still science fiction, when I was beginning my journey as a poet, and she was the first person I came out to as bisexual. For that fact alone I am enormously grateful, but there has been a great deal more over the years.
I lost a lot of friends in that early, transitional period, but Julia has been part of the core group of people who remained, who has always been happy to listen and who shares the same tastes. We have had many epic meals together, and some amazing cultural moments.
Mostly though she’s the person who got me when I wasn’t really sure of what I was any more. I think that’s the most important definition of what friendship means that I’ve ever been able to create. Sometimes, you need somebody else to tell you that everything is okay.
This was her birthday poem, from a few years back.
Polonaise
Unmistakeable silhouette, she stands
hasty cigarette in hand, habit I enjoy
only from her and no-one else:
that turn, slim arm in mine, fresh
thought to everything that here
becomes our costume, jointly worn.
Nobody else presents consideration
with such fashion, passion honed,
elegance, stays shift, planned interpretation
education through persistence, worn
means counter-stitched beyond perfection;
this heart, well held, each secret told
from the Park to Fields combined,
defined as polonaise, this friendship,
fabric, steps, shared plates and open minds.
Poem copyright S. Reeson © 2026
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