The Kiss

You held me
my face in your hands
as you kissed my forehead
long and sweet.
Your way of letting me know
you were still there–
as you would always.
Eyes welling with tears
face flushed with emotion
I tried to hide
my quivering voice.
It had been so long
since feeling your touch
since feeling anything from you.
I had forgotten what it meant
to have someone care
to let someone in.
I felt my walls
collapsing before you–
crumbling with the touch of your lips.
Anxiously anticipating
the release of your embrace,
standing unguarded and exposed
vulnerable and scared
afraid of feeling helpless,
terrified of needing someone.
I hid my face and said goodbye
before my tears gave me away.