Pale

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Pale. 

1. nvt. To shield,  defend,  shield, protect,  resist;

2. vt. To deliver, as a child.

Again and again 

He tells me 

How these niho 

Will pale me from what I cannot see

And all of a sudden 

Between the rhythm of my swelling skin and breaking breath

The memory of you comes into perfect vision

•

I think

of all the times I’ve ever said:

“I never saw you coming”

•

And with each strike 

Each drop of blood and ink 

Spilling over and wiped away

Something new is born in me

And I forgive 

Us both

a little more 

•

Just enough

To stand

  a little more upright

To walk 

a little less afraid 

To love

on the other side of all this knowing