Empathic Complement

Joe is a man for every man
Admired by all
Known by none 

Joe always helps a friend
Yet really has few
That help him 

Joe lives not in his world
The world of others
Being more accessible

Joe hopes to find himself
In another, greater
More perfect man

Joe feels the hopes
The dreams, the desires
Of others

Joe feels the pains,
Trials, suffering
Of others

Joe feels not
His pains, his suffering
His dreams, his desires

Joe has a heart
Ignored, diminished
By all else

Jane was a woman for no man
Admired by all
Understood by none

Jane always helps a friend
Yet really has few
That ask 

Jane lives not in the world
The real world
Being too broken

Jane hopes to make herself
Into another, greater
More perfect woman

Jane encourages the hopes
The dreams, the desires
Of others 

Jane moderates the pains
Trials, suffering
Of others

Jane feels not
Her pains, her suffering
Her dreams, her desires

Jane has a heart
Ignored, diminished
By herself

Neal Tibrewala 1/20/04