CHARLES
He was older
And kinder
And gentle -

 

Sweet to me
Over others:
Sentimental.

 

I noticed him
From the start
And soon

 

His very presence
Was important,
And by noon

 

If he hadn’t
Dropped by
To see me
I would wax
Empty, alone
And be
Anxious, alone,

 

He was so good,
So gentle,

 

And so kind.

—Lois Fowler Barrett 1979