Shawl

I am holding her again
Lately, these are her demands
in the dark hours she thinks of as morning
She always needs to be held
While she holds her coffee
I hold her again
that is my purpose, after all
I still remember my creator
Choosing me before all others
Choosing me first
And then carefully picking others to match
My creator made me
To embrace this woman
And I hold her
Always as she prefers:
sometimes fierce and snug,
sometimes casual, relaxed
I hold her and I learn
I think I am like a priest
I know secrets no one else has heard
I have held her across an ocean
As she cried – fear of flying – so silly!
I have seen tropical climates
protected her from the vicious air conditioning
I hold her again
And she chooses me first
For every outing
Every night away
She reaches for me first
Knowing she will need the comfort
I bring when I hold her again
Each day she folds me lovingly
Sets me in a comfortable space
Makes sure the dog does not turn me into his bed
I am hers
But really, isn’t she mine?
I am holding her again, after all
As if she is my own possession
She belongs to me – Caroline A. Slee