The Slightest Excuse

I have fond memories of an old friend.
Even in the gravest of circumstance,
If I looked in to her twinkling eyes,
I could swear she was ready to break into dance,
At the slightest excuse.

A cheerful soul, ready with a smile,
A warm greeting, a kind word,
A disarming joke, and such pretty lips,
I could swear she was ready to launch into laughter,
At the slightest excuse.

When she was around, even the wannest face
Would light up with a smile;
Brush away the tears,
And laugh, and talk, and dance
At the slightest excuse.

Many years passed 'fore I saw her again,
But I scarce recognized her without her smile...
She held her head lower, had circles 'round her eyes,
And could burst into tears, it seemed to me,
At the slightest excuse.

No disarming jokes, but bitter retorts.
No laughing lips, just a compressed frown.
No uplifting words, only cynical taunts.
She could go into a shell, it appeared to me,
At the slightest excuse.

I cornered her later, and cupped her cheek,
And looked at her with searching eyes.
She crumpled then, head on my shoulder,
And let the tears flow free.

What happened, I asked.
Life, she said.
Oh, friend, I realize now,
In grievous, bitter irony..

The person you needed all those years
To keep your chin high, your eyes bright,
Your heart and soul intact..
Was none other than you.

Have Faith

When as a child I played in the fields,
Fell and bruised my knees,
I cried out for pain, and for someone
To lead me by the hand to the doors of my home...

As I pored over my books,
And racked my head at ideas obscure,
I hoped for someone to peer over my shoulder
And bring the elusive meanings within my grasp...

When I stood at the crossroads,
Hesitant and unsure,
I wished someone would step out of the blue
And give me a sign, show me the way...

When I lay fevered in bed,
My face contorted in pain;
I prayed for someone to come to me
And heal me with a touch of his hand...

As I walked alone on a thorny road,
I yearned for someone to keep me company
To keep my thoughts together,
And my sanity intact...

One day I sat, silent, in the House of God,
And asked, by what right do you expect Faith
When you have never been there
As I walked my path of Life?

But now I wonder...

Was it your gentle hand that wiped my tears away
And bade me walk home that day?

Was it your invisible touch that guided me to the right books
So that I may ask, and think, and learn?

Was it your comforting presence that told me
No matter which way I go, everything will be alright?

Was it your smiling face that gave me strength
To face my illness and come out a better man?

Was it you who sent those special friends
To keep me company on the thorny road?

Was it your unspoken voice,
That told me every day,
"Have Faith"?