One kiss at the time

he flinched

when I reached

for his hand—

not because

he didn’t love me

but because

once

someone touched him wrong.

and some nights

his eyes look

like a boy’s

who saw too much

too soon—

I try to be gentle

like the first breeze

after winter

but it hurts

when love

makes him afraid.

still

I stay—

not because

he needs saving

but because

he deserves

a place

where hands are soft

and kisses heal.

and if it takes

a thousand nights

to make him feel safe—

then I will wait

a thousand more—

love doesn’t run

when it’s hard.

love holds on

until it doesn’t

hurt

anymore.

one kiss

at a time.