i want to scoop you up and

hold you in my shaking arms.

i want to smooth your hair as

my tears drip down.

i want to kiss your reddened cheeks

as you breathe softly in.

i want to cup your face in my hands

as your sadness implodes.

i know where this ends and where

this begins.

i am frightened because i want to

shield this from you.

i want to take away this ache,

so you can smile again.

i want you to never feel

how i did.

i want you to find solace

in my embrace

just as i found in yours