I watch you.

Grasping,

Pleading,

Begging.

The pain in your eyes from trying for so long,

Working hard to wear your mask.

The more you try, the more you slip.

Farther and farther

d

o

w

n

a hole of despair.

I worry.

Are you out of my reach?

Have I lost you?

Your pain is mine.

I ache seeing the hurt in you.

Watching you pleading, grasping at every chance.

Begging to be safe.

To be clean and stay clean

I watch the pain when you almost lose.

The tears in your eyes when you think you've lost.

The fake smile worn like a mask.

And I stay.

Building back the ladder each time you break it.

Hoping the pain in your eyes will turn to fight.

Pleading and begging for you to fight.

Because if you go,

if you leave,

I will be the one falling

d

o

w

n

the hole.