Who are you

What song are you singing

What is your circumstance

Why do you look so—

Why are you alone

Where is your mother

Who is your father

Who cares for you

Does anyone

What is your name

Why does your face draw me so

Why do you follow me

Why can’t I walk away

Why can’t I forget you

Why can’t I let you go

I hold you

I comfort

I take your small hands

in mine

I call you Marley

I whisper your name

comfort language

I feed you

I clothe your torn body

Warm your small heart

fill in the shattered parts

slow soft

words love story song

I walk with your independence

You lift me from blind gutter

We dance in the starlight

Your touch lighter

no longer dangerous

deliberate caution

emergent awareness

self

until

I am satisfied

I can release you

to the world

again.