he sits settled on the bench waiting for a smile from a passing stranger….

his aging body blended with the cracks of his old wooden chair….

his hat tilted…ever so slightly…giving him an opportunity to choose his connections….

i approach him and offer him a smile….

he moves over and places his hand on the bench beside him…a response to the possibility of company….

i sit close to him…as the space between us…takes on an energy of its own….

together we watch life pass by….

i sigh…as a first sign I am willing to relax…he nods gently….

he taps my knee to settle my restlessness…i smile graciously….

he points to a small bird that is only able to fly short distances…i acknowledge hesitantly….

he holds tight to his cane that digs deep into the ground…i move it slightly…he grins playfully….

he looks down for a long pause…i lift his chin…he stiffens proudly….

his hand shakes…i place mine on his to settle it…he holds firmly….

then we look at each other…his eyes nestled in life experiences…mine unprotected….

i take his patience…his tenacity…his pace….

he takes my movement…my energy…my eagerness….

and together we feel the importance of mutual regard….

together we watch life interact with us ever so gracefully….

together the space in between us disappears….