If you cried out through the night in shrieking silence
Thinking that no one could hear your whimpers
I would be the one that always listened
And held you tight in my arms.

If bright spring, warm summer, and beautiful fall passed you by
And left you stranded in frozen white winter
I would bring you a flower of fabric and tuck it in your hair
To remind you that not all things die in the snow.

If the dogs howled and barked in the night
And frightened you from the solace of sleep
I would shut out all sound, all thought, all fear
And with lullaby sing you to sleep.

If the world all at once tumbled to ruin
And the walls caved in around you
I would push back the rubble through bone and blood
To keep you safe from all harm.

If the day all at once turned to darkness
If your shoulders did shake from the cold
I would feel for your hand in the icy black
And face the storm with you.

If you ever felt grey or cold or dark
I would bring you colors and coats and lanterns
I would abate the blackness within or without you
I would tell you “It will be okay,” because I would make it so.

Mother, father, sister, brother –
Daughter, son, friend, foe
If you just reached for my hand and I would give you my heart
I promise you, I promise, I would.