Tenderness

Amid all the jostling

hurly burly hurry and worry

I miss the tenderness

solidly standing always ready

to do my duty

I lose the tenderness

weary worn please don’t come near

Too tired for tenderness today

all the familiar pains return

without the tenderness

the sun shines brutal

as I soldier on

the tenderness is gone

I raise my hand weakly

will you help?

a smile, a wink, would be fine

won’t you help me find

that precious tenderness