An Old Acquaintance

I regret taking my leave so soon,
Old acquaintance of mine.
I've always held you at an arm's length.
I've always been awkward with you.
There was no helping it.
I was myself.
And you, a person.
Though it's been so long,
I have not changed.
And you remain human.
I regret taking my leave so soon.
I regret exchanging such few, trivial words.
If only I were a different person.
Or you, a Bengal tiger.