I never got to say, thank you-
you, you acted as my shield from the world
my iron suit that I walked around in
talking shit like Tony Stark
now I know I was never in the ballpark
bat at home swinging with papier-mache at a tee ball stand.
I don’t know what you were worried about-
I picked plenty of roses and never cut myself
gave the neighbors cat a bath and she didn’t run away
and neither did I.
I did enjoy the days you would show me the light
like a present the sunshine was to my skin
your hand was loose but always in mine
a child in body and lost in the mind.
Thank you, for caring
you never told me the wonders of the light
when the sun touches the water
when your hand touched mine- it was the same
you didn’t show me, I had to swim on my own.
I never asked why you were so protective
and no one has ever been since,
but I learned how to swim
so hopefully you can rest easy.