I stayed up late
the night you left.
Not that I had much
Of a say in that.
It’s hard to sleep
With swollen eyes
And a trampled heart.
As i watched your fleeing
Figure fade behind
The hill our front,
I remember the day
I found you.
The day I set my
Eyes, love, name on you.
You were a pitiful sight,
Left behind like
Dinner scraps.
Lonely but not forgotten,
For your past reeked
Of far too much
Shame to forget.
Guilt wore heavy
On your eyes,
So heavy you didn’t
Lift them when
I walked by.
When you weren’t looking
I saw you.
I knelt down,
Caressed your chin
And lifted your face
That our eyes
Might meet.
Yours- ghostly and fearful
Mine- ripe with compassion.
And like a crippled
Mutt, i carried you.
Your stains
Now mine.
Your vile past
now mingling with
my tender present.
I brought you home
Which became our’s.
I fed you,
Washed you,
Clothed you,
And named you.
You were mine.
My years were spent
In love for you.
I forewent food
When it was scarce.
I gave my reputation
Up for you.
You were worth it.
My heart found
Joy in loving you.
I delighted in
Giving you myself
And i yearned
For you to
Give me you.
But there you go.
Running to the pain
I had brought you from.
Leaving the home
I made for you,
The love i shared
With you.
But you are mine
Because i called you.
And you are loved
Because i gave it.
So while you run,
Know, my love
Goes with you.
I will wait,
For you are mine.