She Told me Once

She told me once

to live softly
live safely
to dream in shallows
not reach for rushing
currents

passing swiftly
pulling deeply
she told me (trembling)
what it mean
to drown

i listened because
her voice was mine
her eyes were mine
her heart was mine

one foot on shore
for only a moment
your own hands bound
you gave me this gift

my hands are my own
(she cannot take them, now)
and you left me

knowing

my voice
my eyes
my heart
were yours

and reaching in the water,
my hands are my own