My dear, dear, dearest—

The shield in my eyes,

The thorn in others':

Now tighten your arms around my shoulders

Until your soul is inlaid into mine;

Caress my hair

Until my tears subside.

Stay;

Do not flee before daylight.[MOU2] 

Come, come, come to me,

When I sail the ferocious sea,

My soggy clothes, iron-cold, glued on my swollen skin,

My bleeding hands, torn and worn, grasping the nylon sheets.

Stand on the seaside mountain,

And I shall look up at you, my beacon,

As a Christian worships the Cross.

I shall look up at you with my itchy eyes—  

Itchy from sea water, blurry from exhaustion.

And I will know my direction.

Stand beside, behind, and in front of me

When my legs shiver and my hands sweat.

Pat my jaw to raise my head;

Push my back to hasten my steps.

Walk beside me, beside;

Your hand should grab mine.

Our paths intertwine,

And our steps synchronize;

But we do not meet each other’s eyes,

Unless I walk in front of the mirror

And turn on the lights

To greet you,

My other side.