Initial reaction: open.
I’d do anything
to help you navigate
out of yourself.
Wrap you up, consume you, carry you
and your demons inside of me
until you are new again.
In that instant
squeezing so tight, in hopes
of putting all your pieces back together.
But that would take millions
of moments and we were only given one.

Processing reaction: closing.
Resorting to all I’ve ever known
helplessly watching from inside
locking myself behind the walls I build
to protect myself from harm, selfish.
Not wanting to lose what I’ve worked
so hard to construct.

Final reaction: I will not set
fire to myself
to keep you warm
but I will help you
find your own.