Sometimes I donít want to see you smile
or hear the lilt of your laughter.
Sometimes I donít want to know your thoughts,
the things that bug you no end.
I look you in the eye or watch your lips tremble
and you become more real to me
as the tear slips away from your eye.

There are unreal qualities to life
that are sometimes expressed as joy.
We revel in our fellowship together,
laughing and singing as if we had no cares.
We act as if we have no burdens to bear
for one another, and drown in peaches and cream.
No nightmare stalks us in our dream.
When reality slaps us down
all we know is that something hit bottom
and weíre too stunned to realize weíre the ones looking up.

Itís times like that when I appreciate you most.
You become much more to me than gracious host,
see you next week, letís do lunch.
Life doesnít pull any one-two punch
and punch drunk feelings spike the lemonade
with bitter tears of self pity.
Your shoulder is warmed with friendship
and by the head of a broken soldier
who, in a way, wishes that the tables were turned.