I have memorized your face.

Every inch is too familiar.

Your breath moves my hair

As you speak in tones unheard by others.

My back presses into the wall behind.

And I avert my eyes to my chest

It bounces

And shakes

With the beating of my heart.

And my heart aches

Under your finger that bears down

Digging a hole

Injecting

Creating

Spaces of hate

Spaces of emptiness

Spaces of threat.

You warn of things to come

Things to dread

Things to keep quiet.

And I do

Because no one seems to care.

Everyone turns their head.

They look for the good

To praise

To love.

They dismiss the bad

In fear

In silence.

I used to turn my head from you too.

Looking for someone to save me.

But they didn’t

So I have to save me.

Now I look at you straight on.

Infusing you with all you need.

Love.

Acceptance.

Light.

I used to think the fear in your eyes

Was a reflection of my own,

Now I know it is yours.

You are scared.

And I am not afraid.