Lost

I lost her
For almost a year

She was drowning
Drowning
Drowning
And I didn’t know how
To save her

When she surfaced
Drew that first gasping breath
Soaked and shivering
Traumatized and skeletal
But alive and whole
My tears were a river
Of relief

I vowed never again
To let her sink down
Down
Down
Like that

From now on
I will love her
As she deserves
To be loved
Buoyant and free
Floating and flowing
Unafraid and unapologetic
Of who she is

She will never
Have to earn it
Never again be expected
To swim upstream
To keep others afloat
To avoid all wrong turns
To predict every danger
To stay quiet when hurt
To smile through pain

I will let her live
The life she wants to live
Ride the wild current
Of her emotions
Know her own humanness
Fierce and brave
Safe and loved