Pomegranate Seeds at Modnight

IX

Understanding.

He holds her closely,

arms wrapped around her waist

W h i s p e r i n g

"Are you ok? Just breathe... I've got you."

Hyperventilating.

Her cheeks are swirls of reds and pinks,
her head is on fire.
N i n e simple words extinguish the flames.

His arms don't move from her waist,

not until she stops hyperventilating.

His calming words
seem to drip off his tongue
and dance
into her ears.

In the hallway, they both stand.

Together.