What does it mean to know someone?

When do you feel you know a person—is it the length of time you’ve known them? Is it how much you’ve talked with them? When you know a certain amount about the person’s life? When you have a piece of yourself invested, emotion or time or space? Is it when you know their name? Their voice? When you can predict what they’ll do? Is it when you recognize them well enough to say hello? When you see them enough to not need to anymore?

What does it mean to be known?
Is it when someone knows how to spell your name? Is it when someone thinks of you when you’re not there? Is it when someone sees you smile and knows if it’s genuine?

How small does the gap between minds need to be? An arm’s reach? A shout’s? A synapse? At what point do we meet? At what point do we fracture?

What does is mean to be alone?