tender encounter

trusting, trusted

  because if i fear betrayal, i cannot

  allow myself to be vulnerable

quiet

  because noise and foolishness detract

  from me, and even more from you

at peace

  because that blessed state only comes

  when i am still enough to listen deeply

hopeful

  because whatever action that ensues

  will – i hope – nurture all involved

fulfilling

  as i am grateful tenderness has been

  with young bobcat newly on his own

  as he stopped to look, acknowledging

            me without fear

  with the run-away patch of daisies

  in my yard as i walked away leaving

  all to the new owners and they bent

            with the wind, in promise

            to be themselves in gift

with the rocky cliff at my back

as i came to realize we are made

            of much the same elements

dave

 a giving person

tall, masculine but warm

thoughtful and caring about kids

how they feel, how they grow

to see the good in life

and learn to laugh in love and faith

service

servitude, bondage, subjugation

a mat to be walked upon

but to serve is something else

to give freely of yourself

to help others

to prepare and serve a meal

to teach so that others may grow fully

to minister to needs so others may heal

to maintain a healthy environment

to protect others, many of whom

would be defenseless without

your giving of yourself

thus to serve is to provide a noble gift

which will not always be seen

for what it is, but will be cherished

by those with insight and understanding

hangry

hungry, tired, angry with the world

worn to the point of ‘just stop’

in love, we let them just stop

give them time to gather

their strength, their patience

their ability to give again

we give them time and space

to recover the resources they have

overspent in our behalf

generous spirit

her generosity of soul giving again and again

where those who receive think not of returning

or even of carrying their own weight

how do i protect her?

or would i be interfering?