To Jakob

My life is a rapid heartbeat 

As out of control as my 

Anxiety ridden pulse 

But you, poem boy

You are a concrete permanent 

Trust doesn't come easy

To girls with tired eyes and

Hollow hips but

You are the hands that reached down

And lifted this wounded bird 

You whisper me strings of words

That make my eyelids heavy

I like to count your smiles

And trace your voice because

It keeps me held down 

You're a hero 

You stand tall and strong but even so 

I am not blind-- I see the boy that hides behind 

Pretty words and hearty laughs 

And I love you for it

I love flaws and imperfections 

And 

When you say that's all you are

Sometimes I think it's on purpose