the image of Erin walking
by me surprised by the
alertness of my voice as she
jitters along terrifies me.
I wish I could hold her and
tell her that its okay to break.
I wish I could tell her that she
doesn't need some to piece her
back together every t i m e she
slides apart. I wish could tell
her that all she needs is someone
to hold all of her pieces and not
just some of them.

The image of frail little Erin alarms
me e v e r y time I close my eyes.