When I am climbing up, you are stepping down.
When I wear a smile, you wear a frown.
When I am very happy, you are feeling sad.
When I am doing well, you are faring bad.

When I am awfully hot, you are terribly cold.
When I am rather shy, you are extremely bold.
When I am sweet and nice, you are tough and mean.
When I am upset, you are serene.

When I am at peace, you are at war.
When I stand against, you stand for.
When I use a comb, you use a brush.
When I am being slow, you are in a rush.

When I need silence, you need to talk.
When I want to jog, you want to walk.
When I decide to draw, you decide to write.
When I desire darkness, you desire light.

When I say, "let's sing," you say, "let's pray."
When I say, "let's go," you say, "let's stay."
When I yearn to go by ship, you prefer to go by plane.
When I wish to take the bus, you would rather take the train.

When I choose the color purple, you select the color blue.
When I get tonsillitis, you contract the flu.
When I want to dance, you elect to sit.
When I'm ready to begin, you're prepared to quit.

When I want a sandwich, you desire a full meal.
When I hunger for grits, you are craving oatmeal.
When I studied Greece, you delved into Rome.
When I read of St. Francis, you were reading St. Jerome.

When I vote Democrats, you vote Republicans.
When I joined the Methodists, you joined the Lutherans.
Nevertheless, I love you, and I know that you love me.
Opposites do attract quite well, would you not agree?

For when I need someone to listen, you are always there.
When you are hurting deeply, I show you that I care.
When I need your strong support, you are always by my side.
When you need my loving tenderness, I never fail to provide.

When I achieve a goal, you bask in my success.
When you expect me to say "no," I surprise you and say "yes."
When I slip into depression, you lift my spirits high.
When you think you may need help, I am always on standby.

When you wake up in the morning, I am there with a warm kiss.
When I lay down at night, you rouse me to loving bliss.
When I need to feel protected, you are my guard and shield.
When you're in bed recovering, I don't leave until you're healed.

When I am home alone, you call to check on me.
When we've done each other wrong, we accept your apology.
I love you so my darling and I know that you can see.
That opposites do attract quite well, especially you and me.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries, http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow, Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances, Homilies that Teach.