i’m here.

“keep your heart open,” she whispers.

“ouch. it hurts.” i return.

“it’s meant to, darling one.”

“are you sure? why so much pain?”

“you feel the pain of them all. this, this blessed gift, is your superpower.”

“i don’t want to.
i’m scared.
i can’t.
this is hard.
it’s all too much.”

“darling one, you can and you must.
your Life depends on it.
i’ve got you, lean into me.
i’m here.
i’m here with you.
i’ve always been here with you.”