Dear Willie

The first time that I met you

You were smiling cheek-to-cheek

A moonpie nestled in your hand

A treat you liked to sneak

Your spirit was magnetic

With your trickery and play

Paired with acts of innocence

Which smiles would betray

I remember when you laughed

I struggled not to grin

Emotion on your face

Displayed without chagrin

You taught me many things

In the little time we shared

My spirit stirred and stretched

When I was least prepared

You showed me how to love

Devoid of precondition

Simple and exposed

Free of inhibition

You challenged me to be

Broken without shame

Embracing all my weakness

To which I could lay claim

Your friendship came so easy

Intention quite sincere

A welcome without terms

Affection robbed of fear

With your open handicap

You accepted me for mine

Loving me despite my flaws

Refusing to confine

I met you, unexpected

At house one-sixty-one

And left a different person

My paradigm undone

-C. O'Connell-