the tears on your cheeks are the scalding fires of my soul.
the way you sob into my shoulder echos through my empty cage.
the love you yearn reaches for you
from my finger tips.
hold my hand.

the cuts on your skin are the claws on my neck.
the bruises on your knees shiver through my bones.
the swords piercing my arched spine
will never reach you.
i'll protect you

because

the laughter on your lips breathes the wind beneath the wings
of the butterflies in my stomach.
the crinkles in your eyes are the sun rays
kissing my face.
the delicacy of your fingers is the breeze in my hair
and the brook under my bare feet.

everything that you are
is craved
by everything that i am
and ever will be.

i love you.

- p. winter