for Marius and Dan
You came to tell me that Dan was dead.
We sat in silence as I watched you try,
But your whole body felt it,
And with my desk between us, I watched you cry.
I had met your best friend and liked him too.
I too could have loved him, I believe,
But however we felt it,
He was gone and we were left to grieve.
Then my sympathy and sorrow were alloyed –
Unexpected gladness threatened to offend.
But I must own that I felt it:
A sharp joy to see a man weep for a friend.