Advice

I enjoy when friends ask me for advice
That they look at all my years
All my screws up and success
And feel, on balance, I might say something to help

It feels nice to be trusted in that way
Even if I feel it can be unearned
Sure, failure is the key to success
But I'm still a few failures away myself

I'll embrace it though
Give a caveat of "check with someone else too"
But I'll treasure their confidence
I'll do the best I can

What is my best? It's simply this.
It is just an ear to listen
A shoulder to lean on
And a reassurance that their hardship is real

Often it's not the words you say
It's that there is someone else to say things to them