the guardian's journey

 
she's a guardian
and takes it very seriously
there's one in every family...
...if they're lucky
the one who cannot NOT step up
can't walk away when they're in need
unable to resist their heartfelt pleas
silent or otherwise
this is she...
she feels their hidden pain
sees it in their eyes
especially when they try to shield
she knows...and goes
even if it's only to listen
sitting with them
taking away some of the pressure
long enough for their strength to regather
she's a healer...
trying to heal decades of family wounds
because someone should take responsibility
...but they won't...can't...are unwilling
they look to her with their every hurt
she doesn't turn away...
even when they falsely lay the blame at her feet
saying she didn't prevent it
truly...she would...if she could
they tell her she's so much stronger than them
...she isn't...
she's just willing to do...what must be done...
...day after day
and she would never tell them...but...
she's tired in a soul deep way
like the warrior removing their armor
at the end of a hard fought day
knowing the war still isn't over
it adds a little extra weight
exponentially building
making it that much heavier in the morning
harder to pick it back up
...put it on
to rise up
and do it all over again
she's that kind of tired...
...still fighting
it's worth it
because easing the strain for them
adds a little longed-for comfort
...more padding...
to her ever present armor