Carefully holding on to his thoughts,
collecting his bearings.
The tears begin to slide outside,
without my permission.
Each word feeling wrong and raw on my tongue.

The silence holds us,
each in our own minds.

I long to feel his touch.
But I cannot bare to have him feel my scars.
These rigid bars keeping me locked within.

He musters up a weary smile.
*I will wait for you, always