mine to keep.

I grabbed your hand in a blur.

The rain was stinging my face.

I led you to shelter. I became your shelter. But you weren’t mine to keep. You were his.

And though I protected you from your monsters, who came in the form of abusive dads and many insecurities, you still chose him over me.

I gave you life when you had none. I became your light. I became your life.

You couldn’t see it.

I was always there, but never first.

I loved you more than even the galaxies could comprehend, but I had to let you go.

You weren’t mine to keep.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash