We Will Make it Out Alive

If you see those
crimson beads lining
up on her pale skin again,
would you tell her to stop
in a loud whisper so that it
wakes her from her nightmare?

She'll tell you that there's
something peaceful about death,
and I know you'll agree,
but then you will remember
how brightly the stars shine
and you will show her and
you both will stare in awe

If she comes crying to you,
take a needle and thread
from the second drawer,
stitch those scars right up,
and cuddle her in your arms
softer than blankets in the morning
until her lips form a smile

Promise me that you'll
hold her hands before she
goes to fight and show her
how the flowers grow
in cracks in the pavement
and tell her that it's okay
to take a break once in a while

Don't let them claw
at her wings or twist her spine
anymore than they already have
and don't let her do it
to herself either

Draw constellations out of
her freckles until she laughs
and run barefoot with her
when it rains, but make sure
that you let her have
some time alone because
she probably will need it

Point to where the sunflowers
are always facing and where you
can faintly see the orange and red
glow of light through the fog,
and tell her that she might not
believe it sometimes, but both
you and she will make it
out of this alive