i'll press petals in the palms of your hands, nestle prayers between your fingers, i'll soften the earth that turns beneath your feet, i'll gentle the wind to bring you relief and carry you forward because that is where we are going, dear, forward i will smooth the stones beneath your heels, i will soothe the heat from the sun and ask her to be softer in her approach and when the night falls i will steady his presence and give the stars back their light so that they, too, get to shine i will keep your hand in mine and go onward, dear, because that is where we are going, onward i will quiet the noise that chases in our stead, i will make peace with your demons and tuck them to bed i will read them their stories to sing them to sleep, i will settle their wars, i will bring you peace, so just linger a bit longer with me, and just a little bit longer, still, because i will stay right here with you and i promise, i always will.
