Knocking

There is a little boy

sitting in the corner of this room

crying into his hands.

A fighter 

stands guard,

protecting him,

never letting anyone get close.

There’s a woman 

knocking on the door.

The fighter jumps,

ready to brawl,

but the little boy 

grabs his arm

and shakes his head,

wiping away his tears.

He walks by the fighter

to open the door 

for the lady,

letting her in.

She nods to the fighter and sits down by the boy.

They play a game of Uno,

while the fighter watches,

arms folded across his chest,

pacing,

stopping,

starring,

and then pacing—

a skeptical frown on his face

The boy whispers to the lady

telling her their secrets.

She listens,

while the fighter anxiously watches.

She nods

and stands,

and takes the fighters hands

unclenching his fists

before holding it,

intertwining her fingers with his.

She speaks.

He listens.

And their dance begins.

Now the little boy smiles 

and watches them dance from a distance.

CH 10/12/26