Editor’s note: Most Meridian readers are familiar with Richard Eyre’s books and articles, but he is less well-known as a poet. We have asked him to share a poem each Monday morning for the remainder of this year as a form of weekly contemplation, along with a preface paragraph about its context and about what motivated him to write it. To read the seven earlier poems in this series click here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. If you would like this poetry series to continue in the new year, write directly Richard’s pen-name Dr*******@***il.com and indicate if you would like to see a poem weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
Poet’s context: The closest thing I’ve ever had to a vision was one night long ago when I felt the clear presence of my dad’s spirit, urging me to “love more.” For years I have been trying to write a book about what I think those two words mean—attempting to explain and interpret his use of love as an ever-expanding verb. I wrote this week’s poem to try to capture where I am presently in my attempts to follow his advice.
Developing Empathy
when my departed dad returned
his message to me was two words
Love More
i’ve tried to de-code and embrace
that admonition for 20 years
decipher it and implement it
i do love family more
and Jesus
but he meant more—
new people strangers everyone
linda needs no formula or plan
because love is her gift
empathy comes naturally
she rises to it like a poked ember
but i am more selfishly built
my gift requires imagination
and conscious mental effort
i have to think it into reality
i conjured complicated prescriptive
formulas for empathy
equations—unnatural awkward
drinking without swallowing
eating without being hungry
until it occurred that it is simple
two things only and
i can consciously conscientiously
apply them
One: see the other
really see
observe detail and nuance
notice the language of body and eye
and see in
Two: (much, much harder)
go in—
inside that other head and heart
(the spirit can escort)
and see out
the first helps us see a little bit
like God sees us
and to love a little like He does
the second lets us see a bit
of what the other sees
and love him or her from inside
and don’t those mirror
the two great commandments?
