It was just yesterday I saw him last
rage twisting his face
fear slowing the minutes
the look of hurt deep behind his eyes

we were friends once but the gulf has widened
his trust betrayed by others
a burden he can't carry
he stammers trying to get it out

He doesn't touch won't allow it
he won't trust, much too dangerous
he haltingly tells me that something has happened
and he wants to get away and never return

we plan it carefully, each step of the way
never talking about the trouble,
only how to get away
tomorrow we will meet, two young boys and a final good bye

I see him later, his eyes are black
the light is off his prison secure
he pretends not to know me
the subterfuge complete

as he takes the monsters hand
joins it in the car
a slight smile and a tender kiss
and those awful eyes look back at me again....

I know then that we didn't win
twenty years later I go back to that place
I stride to the door and snatch his hand from the monster
I do at 30 what I couldn't at 10.

I walk through the fire
but I don't burn
the screams of anger and shouts of objection I ignore
a limp boy draped across my arms

He isn't like other boys
he doesn't laugh only cries,
and when the dreams come he shakes and won't sleep
but I hold him just the same, and love WE.

i can't put into words how this has affected me.
i can only express it in tears.