He Pleases Me So

 

When we were young a lifetime ago

I was the one who trusted and he was 

the cynic and I was forever remonstrating

with him, irked that his attitude might very

well turn people away misunderstanding

the person within the skeptic's facade yet

it was no facade and he remains to this

very day the cynic he once was. What

has changed is the loving person within

has found the courage to face the realities

of life while I become discouraged and

always in need of his smile that never

fails to meet my face turned toward him. 

He pleases me so. In our tight clasp of

one another we have grown old together

with grace and thanksgiving. And though

we are decidedly reserved, it has become

his view of others that empathy is an

emotion to bring to the service of those

whose circumstances demand it. And so

I witness time and again his gruff voice

soft, his arms so accustomed to encircling 

me, hugging others reeling from wretched 

blows of fate; an elderly woman bereft of

her dog's companionship, a wan neighbour 

whose health has noticeably deteriorated

a confused child briefly separated  from a 

parent, the presence of animals, insects 

and birds gently moved from areas of traffic 

to natural shelter. Our intimate recognition 

of each others' characteristics has melded 

us as though we are one entity yet time and

again this man introduces me to another

facet of his being and I an suffused with

gratitude for his warm embrace of life.