Stay here
I whisper to myself
as the trigger tingle
before the migraine
of grief
grows
and nothing
wanted more
than escape
I stay
here
in this hurt
because it’s worth
what came before
and it’s worth
what comes
After

Stay here
stay here
stay here
please stay
I rocked
and rocked
tears streaming
clutching
begging for what
I could give
barter or trade
sacrifice
somehow
for things
not to be
this way
solitary wish
every nucleus
screaming
HEAR ME
let him
please
fucking
stay here

Head to
broad chest
eyes closed
the warmest
reassuring breath
visceral weight
of grief still
heavily abreast
eyes and hearts meet
encircling arms
hold all
from joy to
deepest ache
seen
and saying
every day
yes
I will
stay here

And
we
do