My brother- after the Newtown tragedy
Please
let me lead you.
his voice shaken, trembling
with strength.
I know karate.
She squeezes her eyes
shut
as his hand- so small-
closes against hers.
she wants to promise
him and all the rest everything will be fine, be
safe
she wants to swear
they’ll never be touched but as she slides
her tongue across her cracked lips
as she slumps against the wall
he promises for her
his small voice
the only light in the closet
I will lead you, he says.
she hears him growing up
in all the time he has
left.