On tenderness

what is tenderness, I wonder

Is it

Moons altruism from afar 

to guide us with its poetic presence 

as we suffer the gentle retreat 
of the luminous energy..

the skins way to yield softly  

by graciously drooping
to let us palliate through  
the indignance of aging .. 

or tears helping us allay  

the unendurable pain

by rolling in at the very moment 

so we embrace our vulnerabilities 

the hearts way 

of playing dress up with life

by making allowances with a smile

despite previous bruises 

 

if not 

a sense of surrender to life 

or 

a palate to hold us through the rough times 

even

guileless presence to lighten our paths 

and 

laughter to unburden the heaviness within? 

What is tenderness, I wonder!