You have never been alone, sweetheart,
Candy-eyed dear with a honey that sticks
All spores and seedpods to your skin.
Nectar-darling, you need never thirst.

You have never been alone,
Waxy-fingered sunflower girl.
You stand without touching in
A garish grove of upright, beaming friends.

You have never been alone. You couldn't know
Black-footed trees and leaf-dust inhalations
Tumbling, hair full of bark, over a slimy hostile root
Landing breathless in the stream, lips dripping berry red.

You have never been alone, Sister
Who I never touched. I wish you had.
I wish you hadn't given up hope while still warm and safe-
I'd have never been alone, sweetheart.