aka Paul Wolfson

There have been unreachable parts
in unspeakable places
within the shadow of my soul.
My prayers were pleads
to fix my family,
for this must surely make me whole.

The answer caught me unprepared;
the method, indeed, struck me odd--
through you, whose kinship, life and works
are the pristine Grace of God.

'Twas once upon your lunch hour
we met, with a Big Mac in your hand,
"So, why are you here?" you asked askance;
I forthrightly started in:

My mother this, my brothers that,
and My Ex-Husband THE OTHER THING . . .
You stopped me with a halting hand
and said, "That's not what you mean.
That's not why you are here at all." you dared,
sizing up my state. "You're here
because you're scared to death
you will never find a loving mate!"

"Wait! . . wait!". . I stammered strunned,
"I think I'm DOING FINE . .

"Yeah, Right. No dates I'd bet--
much less no sex prospects--
Lady,
you are worried out of your mind!
Shit.
Don't tell me you're not afraid;
You're pissed off more precisely;
tell it like it is for YOU
for once . . . and please,
don't say it NICELY.
Shed that smile of denial
and work up a worthy scowl;
find the courage to speak your Truth
and back it up with a GROWL!

Well--
as I left my shadow shouted,
"My God! What have I done??
He can't make me deal with THAT.
Who IS this Guy, PAUL WOLFSON???

I showed up in Group that very night,
to spite my shock and trembling.
I came away still more confused,
as your antics set me giggling.
I learned so much, more important, too
about How these angel wings you've earned--
healing drugs, and bars,
and battered boundries. . .
and wars horror in children burned.

Thus, in trust, you cast a prizm's glow
upon my courage to live and die--
with me you have trod those speechless paths,
wherein my deepest darkness lies.
Yet, through it all we've made the time
to share our whims and play;
our efforts bore God's finest fruit
when you shared my Wedding Day!

The flip side is, I know you too;
I know today is a Hell of a stretch for you.
For, while the Truth can be damned hard to speak,
it can be as difficult to hear,
especially when from so many
who each hold you uniquely dear.
So, when your shadow's edge is looming;
when you'd swear you dare not get this high,
reach beyond your reachable--
spread those wings and fly!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This story is literally true . Had it not happened
just so, I doubt I would ever have met my
husband. Written for Paul's 50th Birthday, he was
surrounded by a room full of people like me.