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Two housemates lived in close confines
yet never crossed each other's lines
Within the same walls for nearly a year
they dwelled without even sharing a beer
Most of their time was spent in the vicinity
they had private rooms but they shared amenities
Yet despite spending so much time in the same place
they didn't so much as see each other's face.
How did these two manage to live for such a long time in close proximity but never so much as run into each other?
I believe the answer is that they are
twins.
The divided housemates
Their cells divided as they grow.
Two housemates lived in close confines yet never crossed each other's lines
"Lines" refers to umbilical cords.
Within the same walls for nearly a year
They were in their mother's womb for nine months.
they dwelled without even sharing a beer
Their mother went without alcohol during pregnancy.
Most of their time was spent in the vicinity they had private rooms but they shared amenities
They had their own amniotic sacs but were both nurtured from their mother.
Yet despite spending so much time in the same place they didn't so much as see each other's face.
They could not yet see.
Special thanks to Bass for explanations to several clues!
I bet noedne's answer is the intended one, but I suggest that another that (less interestingly) fits everything is
that they are two prisoners in solitary confinement in the same prison.
Two housemates lived in close confines
Perhaps they are even kept in adjacent cells.
yet never crossed each other's lines
Only allowed out rarely, never allowed to see anyone else but prison staff.
Within the same walls for nearly a year
Solitary confinement sentences can be anywhere from a few days to many years.
they dwelled without even sharing a beer
Prisoners in solitary aren't allowed to see one another. Also, not much beer in a typical high-security prison.
Most of their time was spent in the vicinity
As I said above, perhaps even adjacent cells.
they had private rooms but they shared amenities
Things like toilets and medical facilities may be shared.
Yet despite spending so much time in the same place
they didn't so much as see each other's face.
Again, prisoners in solitary aren't allowed to see one another.
They are
hot water and cold water
because
They are in separate pipes (private rooms) but share amenities (connected to the same appliances). They never cross each other, and have no faces to see.
They are:
clocks
Two housemates lived in close confines yet never crossed each other's lines
Their hands never cross
Within the same walls for nearly a year they dwelled without even sharing a beer
you've got to put some effort into spilling a single beer over 2 clocks
Most of their time was spent in the vicinity
a subtle hint there with "time" ;)
they had private rooms but they shared amenities Yet despite spending so much time in the same place they didn't so much as see each other's face.
Clocks have a face, but can not see; and are rarely place in the same room.
One possible answer (among many)
One works during the day, the other during the night.
