I was unaware I had missed you
until I felt my heart pang with longing
as I gazed at your sheltered valley
again for the first time

You nourished my growth
with sunlight and bare feet in endless grass
while keeping me from the cruelties of
concrete grids and glass prisons

One day I got lost in your redwood oasis
and tangled myself in your hair
because I couldn’t imagine living
anywhere else than with you  

I was too young to know the world
outside of your gentle exhale    
and foolishly took you for granted
as you became a burden with age

I ached to feel excitement beyond
the cautious daylight you offered me
and prepared myself to leave you
without a second hesitation

You howled as I turned away
from everything you had given me  
but my sights were on the future
as I moved beyond what you could provide

I never looked back.
We both knew I couldn’t
or the pain would consume us
and we would ******* ourselves  
over the heartbreak of leaving the other

One day I would return and bathe    
in the refreshing starlight of your hidden sky
to heal the scars that the land of tar and steel
had left upon my sun-kissed skin

I never stopped loving you
I only keep my distance  
to save myself from the pain
of leaving you again.