Be gentle with me, lover,

I’ve been broken before

Though I’m now pieced together

mistreatment will shatter me

again I’ll become clear shards who

in the warm waters of your love

stealthily tear you apart.

Be strong for me, lover,

I’ve carried the weight of these broken pieces far

longer than you’ll know and if

I collapse and if

you can’t catch me these pieces will scatter and

carelessly you’ll sweep them away from

your soft, silky skin.

So I ask of you, lover,

before I fall

before I become hazardous

hold me close

find a warm place for me

once in your heart

then once in the ground.

And once I am, lover,

surrounded by life, I’ll

love you from afar

without causing you harm

while the soil embraces me

remember me fondly

Be sad for me, lover,

but when you love again, with whoever it is

Be gentle and

Be strong.