Aloft

Fight against another day
and your slight morning sway
Hide your yawn behind hand
Set your face grim in stone
and disguise your fears
for what they are

But paint a circle over your heart
Make the outlines so
that I can see its soft beating

Lay plaster over your skin
so no touch can hurt
or tear through another layer
and no one can stake claim
or bruise, make you his
with a red hand mark

But colour the skies with thought
Make it so that I can hear
the insistent tick of your brain

Shield your fingertips,
your toes and hands and feet
that your accidental touch
may fall upon unfeeling skin
and not excite anger
in the face of kings

But dare whisper
even too soft, your dreams
so that I may keep them
aloft

Aloft where none dare go
for fear the sun might
light their shadow

I'll keep it aloft