Touch

Before I can reach down to press their shoulders,
their bodies are rising up to meet my hands.

Starved.

Deep sighs as soon our skin makes contact.
Hard and icy bodies melting under my hands.
This language spoken only through skin.

Look at you carrying on through the day.
Skin wrapped tight around a fearful heart.
Put it down my friend please.
Put down your weapons.
You can pick it up later,
but for this one moment
put it down.

What is the urgency?
What conclusion are you rushing towards?
Put it down my friend.
Put down your pain.
A conclusion will always be there
for you to arrive at.

For now,
simply be.
Breathe easy.
Feel a little peace.

And as you lay here
coming undone,
I hope you see
that maybe,
it never was
your burden to carry.

~e.i