For showing me that hearts are not to be feared,
For your consideration and friendship one night
In a city full of vice, danger, and cutthroat liars.
For the love you showed beneath August’s fire.

I to you gave perhaps too little.
But I shared memories with you,
And trusted you
Though one in the dead of night could do harm.

You were a great friend in a time of loneliness:
I am very grateful. You were insightful, too,
And listened. You pointed out my prejudices
But did not stoop to chastise me.

Neither of us is perfect:
I have trouble accepting this;
But in the hours we knew one another
We knew one another’s souls.