Gemotions

The news had been tough this week. Everything felt heavy. He found Emily reading in her favorite armchair, a cup of tea resting on the side table. As he approached, he noticed a small, worn book in her lap.

He sat down beside her, leaning his head on her shoulder. She closed the book.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

She nodded, then, in a voice slightly hesitant, began to recite a poem, in his dialect of Xhosa, a poem her grandmother used to read. As the words flowed, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He felt an overflowing well of happiness inside.