you sobbed.
you whimpered.
you cried out,
your face
buried deep
in my chest.

i made my fingers feel
like soft water droplets
running
through your hair.
i let my voice flow
comfortingly
like the River Jordan,
pretending
that i myself was calm.

why is it,
do you think,
that our only moments
of true intimacy
occur when the
flames of our ignorance
can no longer
be tamed?

why can't we just pretend?
pretend and be happy