Formation

If I held you softer,

would the world be a scarier place?

Would you have been prepared

for its harsh, jagged rocks?

If my words were gentler,

would you have been able

to overcome the cruelty?

Would you have the resilience

to stand on scorched earth,

ravaged by flame?

If I pressed supple lips

upon your skin,

instead of biting into flesh,

would you know

what it means to love?

Would you trust

the wolves howling

beneath darkened skies?

Orbs of grey

speckled with gold.

Roots like darkened earth

kissed silver by time.

I am all you were.

All you will ever be.

And though kindness

was not my nature,

if I had not taught you

all there was of pain,

would you be able to see

how beauty grows

between the hurt?