By Kelsey Cadahia-Frankel, age 13.

I can feel

your breath

on my shoulder,

like a kiss from heaven.

I can feel

the warmth

of your heart,

being transmitted.

Your love,

your kindness,

your happiness,

flowing into me.

I can feel

you worry,

when I leave

to go to the trampoline park.

Your words­

soft and cautious,

uttering for me to stay.

I know that you worry­

What if she falls?

What if it is my fault that I let her go?

But it’s ok.

I will be ok.

I will never let go

of your loose grip on me.

Your comforting grip­

that calms me

and nurtures me.

It teaches me

and loves me.

The grip that sometimes pulls one way or another,

but always knows which way to go.

I can feel your love,

that will stay beside me­ in good times,

in bad times. Forever.

For always.

***