& when I am at war
have committed
violent hate crimes
in my own country
he doesn't tell me what I already know
doesn't point out all the flaws he sees in me
(in case I missed some) he says
please
can i see the damage
he wants to take me in
envelop me
give me a new skin
made entirely of
silk he's spun &
seal it to me
with the heat of every kiss.

& though I am sinking
in my own cerulean depths
I still feel
the red string
tug at my smallest finger
I've been hit
rocked to the core
a wave of safety surges
despite my tsunami
my underwater earthquakes
just knowing
his little finger
will still be tied to mine
whenever I resurface.