My friend is unhappy. What can I do?

I know.
I'm happy.
I'll keep him with me, and make him happy, too.

But maybe he'll see
he's more unhappy than me.
What can I do?

I know.
I'll listen to him,
ask what's wrong.

But what if that makes him sad?
What if he thinks I don't understand,
or like him anymore?
What can I do?

I know.
I'll sit him down,
explain he's not alone,
tell him I care,
and that things really aren't so bad.

But what if he's right?
What if something really is wrong?
Maybe I don't understand.

How can I know better
how he should feel
than he does?

Andre Gide said
"Je deteste ceux qui m'entendent trop vite."

How do I not understand too quickly?

I know.

I won't try to have an answer.
I'll just be there.
I'll share my joy
when he wants to.
And I'll share his sadness, too.
At least I'll hear his sadness
. . . . . in good faith.

I won't give in to my need to know
or my need to make him like me.
I'll let him be him.
And I'll be me,
glad to have him as a friend.

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