I ponder – and slowly start to write
A list of names emerges followed by their qualities…

Those who aren’t afraid to take off the mask
Those who know how to listen and to share
Those who aren’t afraid to love and let you know they love
Those who laugh a lot and can take things lightly
Those who know and speak of a bigger picture
Those with whom I can sit in silence and weep
Those not afraid to say ‘I don’t know’
Those for whom speech is not the only form of communication
Those who can leave space –
Those who see me
I pause…

And raising my head
See in the mirror that hangs before me

Myself…