you are the only exception

look over her. past it all and come here. turn in this direction and see.

set it all here. cradle all of that in these arms. let me be here.

scream to me. out the violence and boredom of just living. 

surface and face me.  i will breathe for you as you collapse. 

flail those weakened limbs and I will stop the hemorrhage. i will tend

show me your bruises. tell me of your tenderness. i will be brave for you.

fall to your knees. i will raise you slowly. gently and in small gestures of grace.

be alone and small.  view the vastness and blink with me. so light becomes darkness.  so darkness becomes light. with needed pause.  

roll the bitterness in you mouth.  i will feed you the bland. the banal. so you may once again savor

look over him.  past it all and come here.  turn in this direction and see. 

raise the voice in your head.  its roar of blame. let it shriek. i will whisper. i will whisper.  i will whisper. until your shriek is mute.

rage in silence. hold your stoic stance and brace.  i will stand with you. i will brace with you. 

i will.  

look over her. past it all and come here. turn in this direction and see.

look over him.  past it all and come here.  turn in this direction and see. 

you are the only exception

-- jessica c. lindley, 2011may