Before Darkness

I don’t remember bottles, or rattles.

I remember crying,

the only words screaming.

Then suddenly it stops.

Warmth. Comfort. It’ll be alright.

I remember fireworks,

“Mama, look at the pretty lights!”

Scared of the thunder.

Hold me tighter,

closer to your heart.

Skinned elbows

and bruised knees,

but I don’t remember

how the ground felt.

Pick me up.

Hold me tighter,

closer to your heart.

My heart,

torn and mended

in a cycle that seemed endless,

until you.

Hold me tighter,

closer to your heart.

I don’t remember bottles.

I don’t remember rattles.

I remember thunder and fire works,

comfort miles away,

skinned knuckles and battles…

falling.

I don’t remember how the ground felt.

Pick me up.

Hold me tighter,

closer to your heart.