Empathy

One lazy afternoon, in the shade of a large sycamore tree

We were as still as our sated souls, the inert minds were free.

A tight bond from the years past has its aura of comfort

Making silent yet engaging conversation, requiring little effort

Her words were casual, yet deep when she asked softly

Who is he? Who is he that you think of ceaselessly?

Who is he who brings an unbidden smile to your lips?

Who is he who can make your sun shine in an eclipse?

Can a mere mortal bring seamless calm to your senses?

To a fickle mind that elopes on frequent flights of fancy?

Or is it a ghost who marches with you to realms unknown

To quell your fears and hold your hand when you walk alone?

Beaming at my companion, I wished to set her mind to rest

I wanted to extol the virtues that the enigmatic man possessed

To describe the lightness and warmth, the profundity and ease

Of the comradeship we cherished with no imposed boundaries

But the tongue turned to stone as thoughts turned to vapour

Wits were swiftly blunted with the sudden headiness of ardor

The place stood forgotten, and time lost its essence,

As I tried to funnel the rush of emotions into coherence

She understood and articulated, my dearest soul sister!

She said, "Yes, you cannot explain the taste of water to another

You cannot draw a picture of hope; when there is only disaster

Yes, you cannot express the angst of love to a fellow sufferer"!