I never asked anything of you
You were always in sight when I needed you before
And that was all I needed to remedy your absence.
But your watching eyes are becoming harder to find
The warmth they gave has been replaced with a cold silence
My yearnings heard by everyone but you
Who tease and taunt my every call
I took their beatings as a helpless victim does a bully
In solitude I tended to the bruises for a while
Until they covered my shadow completely with no remorse
So out of light did I go my darkened skin camouflaged in shadow
But I'm came out after so long
Long enough that someone saw

They didn't walk away as so many have before
Running as if my wounds were contagious
No, they came to me openly and fearless
Upon the fields of battle
Leaving small inscriptions upon my hand and skin
Dressing the bruises as each letter was laid
And then without word you held me, nothing more
A ghostly embrace that felt real and warm
Holding tears back from selflessness unexpected
And they left speaking words of sweet dreams and slumber
A stranger to this day who brought me back to my feet

And in their parting did questions arise
For I do not hear your breath or feel your touch
Nor do I ever see you in the distance
Yet here into my skin does a strangers words seep
Without lust giving permission to the intimacy we shared
Just care, one stranger to another
Who stood beside me
Where you once were
Cared for the injuries
That I bore in your place
And filled my heart as much as they could spare
That same heart that was once filled by you.