Friend

At the times when I feel the most
That I want to do some human disfiguration, self-maiming –
The opposite of preservation
You are there.
And you remind me why not to
Without the need of saying anything at all.

And at the times when I feel there’s an elephant sitting on my chest
And I haven’t done the required number of push-ups
That would give me the strength to lift it away,
I realize you are that strength.

And at the times when I feel I’ll just have to keep living in this pain today,
You insist on taking it all away.
Without the need of saying anything at all.

But you do say something.
You say to me, I love you.
With all of your listening.
And though I may wonder why you do,
It is enough that I know you do.