Lighter Now
She feels lighter, somehow
Something soft and gentle in my arms
The same pink mouth and doe-eyes
The same soft skin on the back of her neck
That my lips rest on while we sleep
But she feels lighter
Less like pressure, less like build up
Less like flames
More like air-
She’s not compressing my chest
She’s resting on it-
Not burning my skin, making my heart pound
But calming me
It feels like I’m holding someone else entirely
Except my soul knows
You can’t fake soul
Then again, I must feel lighter too
Not something holding on for dear life
Just someone sleeping
Feet still sticking out from the covers
Lips still-always-the same on her back
But I’m so much lighter
Less urgent, less unsure
Less like an earthquake
More like gentle rain
Not holding her as if I might never
Hold her again
But holding her just as though
She’s already guaranteed
No matter how far she flies
Her soul knows its way home