A Sympathetic Resonance

(for Slim)


When your partner pulled his sister close

you felt the pain in the embrace

and sorrow drew across your face

its tightening seam.


A fine-tuned instrument

will wake and sound

when its harmonic likeness

is struck

or bowed,

so will a fine-tuned heart resound

in sympathetic resonance

to a fond heart calling.

It is a private antiphon,

scored for two voices

in unison.


You've many words for love and loss

–you'll make him listen, by and by.

But for tonight you will stand watch

with a soft, peripheral eye,

drop his shoulder with a touch,

rein in long legs

to match his stride.