River

My eyes look into

Judging eyes staring

Back

Daggers of disgust

Shock

Shame racks my body

I turn in fear

To give in

“I’ll just wait”

the pain is easier to bear

than the disdain of my peers

Your clammy hand

That’s “been there, done that”

Stretches forth

And grabs my

Dry

Scared palm

River waves rush up

Their eyes still look

But I still

Walk.

You hand makes me

Protected

Fearless

Invisible

Your hand brings me

Confidence

Freedom

Life.

“You can go now” I say

and push you away

But no

You are in this for the long haul

By my side you stay

For what feels like forever

And a day

Until

Relief.

Hands still holding we walk back

Facing the eyes

We walk back to the shore

Get in our boat

And paddle into a

New adventure

Yet

Our story

Still follows us.