Companion

The crushing, the disappointment
the times when little is left to say
when the jerks of this world rear their heads
to jeer in our face

But a ray of light in a dark place
a warm nudge, a smile, an empathy
an affirming touch
and the dark can do little to stem the tide

I'll walk a thousand terrible pits
face more trouble than these meager nights
with that ray of light
and still walk joyful through the end

I've seen the looks on their faces
as the world caves in around
and the silence rocking the air
the words that won't come

I've felt the stagger
the thought that this is really how it is
the knowledge of a hope dashed
and the numbing sting after

But with that glimpse of dawn
arm in arm on a long road
I think perhaps
I could face a lot worse