Heart flung open
by the joy of companionship,
I hear you tell of pain so vast
it almost killed you.
I miss a breath
as a stroke of sorrow flashes deep.
You hesitate.
I ask you to go on.
I let it in,
as much as I can bear
and still drive the car.
I find no adequate reply.

Stop crying
and I will give you
something new to cry about,
is what the world whispers sometimes.

And I listen closely,
since these tears for a friend
may be the best I have to offer.