Just a minute in your arms

 
A wretched sound
left my throat;

I never
wanted
you to
look at me
like that.

The fishhooks
in my chest
ripped
as I stepped
forward,
my faith
in you
irrational
and
resolute.

the world
didn’t exist
past the
heat of
your body,
the strength
of your arms,
and I inhaled
ragged breaths
against your neck
as you wrapped
me in you.

Just for sixty
seconds

Just long enough
for me to
feel your
heartbeat
against my
palm.

Just long
enough
for me
to memorize
the way it
feels
to be
sheltered.