His Heart

         Nancy

His heart hears
Her haunted dreams
Though she does not stir
Or make a sound

His heart will wait
Through the hours
For as long as she needs
To ready herself
To confront
The pain
The fear
And the terror

His heart will
Enclose it all
And hold it
Away from her
Until she is strong

A pitiful whimper
Desolate and defenseless
From her darkness
She awakens

He offers solace
Whispers from his heart
"You’re safe"
"You're safe now"

She hears
More
Than his words
She feels
More
Than his promise

His voice
Comforts 
She is embraced
His voice
Calms
She is cherished
His heart
Assures
She can rest
Cosseted and cuddled
Not yet prepared
To face
The violence of
Then
The enigma of
Now
The terror of
When

He knows
That for the present
Her repose
Is tranquil
In the cradle
Of his heart

His heart
Her shelter
Always

She
His heart’s treasure
Eternally

For he will love her
With all his strength
And gentleness
His everlasting devotion
And most profound gratitude

And she will abide in
His heart

Forever

For you, H…all