Don’t come close…
I’m covered in thorns, she said.
I ignored and tried to hug her
and found myself bleeding,
trying to put my arms around her.

Don’t! she said.
And I struggled to wrap my arms around her.
Each spine of thorn piercing through me,
breaking my bones and bursting out of my back.

Stop it! she cried.
And I kept struggling,
bleeding and shaking,
till I got my arms fully around her.

Why? She asked.
The light in you,
seems worth fighting for.
The love in you,
seems worth having.
The happiness in you,
seems worth provoking.

You are dying! she said.
Some causes are worth dying for.
For pain mirrors what it means love.
And I will give my last breath
just to let you know
You are worth loving…