Befriending Poem by Paul Sebastian

Could you be there
To listen to what I bear?
Could I trust to share
Pains, I within rear?

Would your heart be listening
And read unspoken feelings?
Would you empathize
And not sympathize?
Ask open-ended questions, to explore
And lead me to open up more?
If I bore, shared completely
Trust you, for confidentiality?
Would you be my mirror
Rather than be a director?
Would you let me think aloud
Or would your own shroud?
Would you counsel, objectively
Let me problem-solve, creatively?
Would you be critical
Or even, judgmental?
Patiently, follow me through
Walk with me till I'm through?

Would you be counselee-centred
Lead me to become befriended?
Helped me see, to know
So I would learn and grow
Would you enable me to be strong
Shown me the right from wrong
Would you help me become self-aware
Become confident to face my cares
You befriended
You touched,
You taught me how, I grew
Healed, I spread my wings, I flew!

9.01.2016