A man I hardly know asked me for advice
He was used to dope and was trying to stay clean
His roommate stole his rent and a friend stole his wallet
His family has had enough, he's all alone
His face is gaunt
His eyes a soft blue and when his voice started to shake- I saw a little boy
I didn't know what he could do
I held my arms out
He was reluctant at first
But he held on and sobbed
I rocked him back and forth
Tears streamed down my face
My shirt was covered in his tears
There was a knock at the door- we let go
Wiped our eyes and scooted our chairs back
When the office door opened, they only saw 2 people
Quietly finishing paperwork

I like to touch every bottle, every single bottle
I remember the faces of the many people who asked for them
It brings back the rifts and the jokes- exhaustion from every night
The gorgeous silence of being alone
In a place that’s chaotic and loud
Except the early morning
Just me, the sunrise, and the bottles

That grey area
When I’ve nine other lives
But can’t fully give in
Every step
I consider you

Who put that swing set on the beach?
Sitting just so
Perfectly positioned to watch the sky
Meeting the sea
Inviting the most guarded to look
And to naturally remember

Pulling hope from my chest
Reaching every day
Lessons in patience
Lessons in love
Giving to them
Everything I could dream of