I'll still be here

There are stories in the way her eyes blink 

in her low smiles, 

and in the way she holds her own hands

in how she only looks down

ones she's too afraid to tell, or remember

let me

you don't have to change, I'll wait

let me pluck every thorn that grows out of you

blood on my hare fingers, as I grit my teeth

until you're free of what you think hurts you

and those around you, and maybe 

then I can finally receive your embrace

without you holding back

I'll teach myself to be patient

remember who you were before the tragedies happened

go home to yourself 

I'll still be here when you return.