Please

let me lead you.                      

his voice shaken, trembling

with strength.

I know karate.

She squeezes her eyes

                            shut

              as his hand- so small-

closes against hers.

she wants to promise

him and all the rest everything will be fine, be

safe

she wants to swear

they’ll never be touched but as she slides

her tongue across her cracked lips

              as she slumps against the wall

he       promises      for       her

                             his small voice

              the only light in the closet

I will lead you, he says.

she hears him growing up

              in all the time he has

                                           left.