His Favorite Lost Cause

Basking in self-pity, another Friday night spent all alone. I went to my grandfather’s house to see if he was home. He invited me in to watch Jeopardy before he goes to bed, I told him I was feeling down a bit and this is what he said: “No one will ever love you until you learn to love yourself; No one will ever love you until you learn to love yourself. You are a handsome boy; you’re funny and you’re smart, But you must learn to love yourself from deep down inside your heart. Some might call it being confident or feeling self-assured But it’s just learning to love yourself like I’ve said a thousand times before. You reek of desperation; I know that’s harsh but it’s true, Once you stop looking for it, love will come and find you.” He got Final Jeopardy right, like the old man always does; Then he said, “Good night", to me, "You know you are my favorite lost cause.” << Musical Interlude >> We buried my grandfather yesterday; I gave the eulogy. Sitting at the bar alone that night his words came echoing back to me: “No one will ever love you until you learn to love yourself; No one will ever love you until you learn to love yourself. You are a handsome boy; you’re funny and you’re smart, But you must learn to love yourself from deep down inside your heart. Some might call it being confident or feeling self-assured But it’s just learning to love yourself like I’ve said a thousand times before. You reek of desperation; I know that’s harsh but it’s true, Once you stop looking for it, love will come and find you.” When you sat next to me, I was still lost inside that dream, I wasn’t being rude to you, although that may be how it seemed. When you offered me a penny for a thought that I might share, I knew it was my grandfather that must have caused you to be there. I have since learned to love myself and put my desperation far aside But I could not not fall in love with you, as if it was a thing I would have tried. The moment that you smiled at me, I had to take a pause, To say thank you to my grandfather from his favorite lost cause.