can I return the favor
can I help you carefully
you held me so mindfully
unhurried and watchful
I hold on to you protectively
cautious and vigilant
I do not carry you, I carry your knowledge
how to move silently, deliberately, aware
I am grateful for this
but mournful
I cannot see you as you were
you think of me as I was
the march of time creates new faces
out of old ones
and older ones
out of young ones
the sagacious bee 