Just a child, really
Baby fine hair and soft skin
But so much life lived in those short years
Seen too much to comprehend
Nervous jitters and wandering eyes
Even the grass under our feet
Felt your apprehension
I wanted to keep you safe
Hold you until you disapeared
Go with you
Afraid to touch you
For the wounds would bleed
I wanted to be strong for you
But as the daylight diminished
It was you who kept me strong
Ticking moments that made loud beats
"Do you have everything?"
I finally asked
You couldn't even answer
Fear and excitement and possibility
Like fingers wrapped around your voice
Making you silent
And I watched you run
Through the field and into the alley
Like a lost fawn
Until only the faint scent of you remained with me
Made heavy by my tears
I can still feel that moment
Still smell you in the air
I wonder
If you ever found peace