please
you sat across from me
after explaining all
you can do
have done
wanted to do
how you wanted to give back
help others
now that you were working
and had a home of your own
help those
who are in the same place
you were
grateful after so many years
for help
for understanding
please
accept me
you said the words
more than once
I read the worry
in the thin trickle of sweat
that fell down the side of your face
while I explained
and asked questions
we spoke then of common friends
and our love of painting
our circles
woven closer
part of the same path
in this moment
I told you I was
grateful for you
and when I said
you were already part of our family
that we needed your help
you smiled
in the most beautiful way
~
Leigh-Anne Fraser, March 7, 2017
lei fraser 