So many depend on others to lend

A shoulder and pair of ears to bend

When problems come up to plague

As they grow up, becoming of age



And anyone who provides them well

Will become the one for things to tell

Whether this be warm and receptive

Or - at times - intricately complected



It can become quite mind-opening

Both to the listener and their friend

... The one with the problems so full

With no answers over which to mull



All one can do is listen and reflect

And then indicate what to expect

Based on past experience so vast

Many of which have brought to task



Similar events hanging from ledges

Involvements with so many hedges

Against emotional scars felt so deep

So many of which caused lost sleep



And then those very events unfurled

As time evolved, and then great pearls

Of wisdom, formed from all those times

When solutions came, and things got fine



- Tristram



(c) Christopher W. Thomas

8:27am Wed. April 8th, 1998