My Promise

-for Hillary

Come closer.

Look at these trees.

See how they bend

branches stirring green, restless leaves.

Feel my hands.

They are shaking.

I once was free and simple

spinning energy, laughing softly

like these trees.

Now I’ve reached a place too far from here.

Running straight past a forest

tearing pieces of golden leaf

along the way.

Breathless

my heart beats steady.

Young girl,

in your soul lies a stream.

It spills into your eyes

changing into darker shades

of turquoise green.

Your smile speaks to me

like waves breaking on a ridge.

I am watching time begin to

play all our dreams

with passionate strokes.

Water fills my eyes

Tears fall upon the keys.

My fingers won’t stop chasing notes.

listen closely to what they say.

We may be shadows

curving lines when silver moon peeks out at night.

Or pieces of the sky.

One thing you must always remember.

You might never be told who you really are.

We can never stop this turning world to be at peace with pain.

Look at the sky.

See the way brilliant sun catches us all on fire?

Young girl, one thing is true.

Our memories are real

like the freckles on your skin.

Even when you are broken,

believe.

Come closer.

Look at these trees.

See how they awaken with

the promise of new Spring?