If it were up to me you see, I would've been holding your hands from the beginning. If it were up to me, pens would feel comfortable between your fingers, poetry would feel natural flowing from your lips If it were up to me it would feel less of sandpaper and concrete Instead, more of silk and lollipops to your tongue in the middle of summer If it were up to me you wouldn't hate summer, you would adore it If it were up to me you'd look forward to fresh strawberries and mangoes, the wind hot on your face like my breath would be to your chest Curled up in your arms listening to your heart beat, waiting for you to stop wishing for it to stop If it were up to me I would lay by your side each night, holding you close, patiently waiting for you to slip into slumber before letting myself do the same If it were up to me I'd keep you from anything harmful If it were up to me the sun in the morning would signify survival, not failure If it were up to me the sunset would paint the sky with reds and oranges and purples every night to give you a reason to keep going If it were up to me you'd look in the mirror and see the stars in your eyes rather than storms If it were up to me your cheeks would be stained with loving pink kisses from the sun rather than tears made of salt and self loathing If it were up to me you would've held my hands and felt content from the start, rather than grasping onto them hoping to find something Other Than Summer