her and he

her eyes cleared
the mangled tears,
she saw what they saw-
he in front of the church,
arms crossed,
shoulders bent,
hair in face,
tattered clothes.

advance slowly toward
he, careful for
knives may flee
behind holed pockets,
her feet padded
ground silently,
two feet away, her arm
reached up to his
folded forearm, a touch,
he glances her way-
at first a glare
then softens eyes.

he pulls one bound
limb toward her neck,
barely a touch
her warm breath
cradles the body
that confines he,
snaps back, afraid-
her smile assures
he of her good intentions,
a sudden gleam off
a silver knife poking
through his pocket hole,
he panics, knife removed,
points forward,
her quick hand
lowers it away.

sweet smile is given,
he cowers embarrassed,
her silent consideration
washes fear away,
he lingers, head down,
eyes on her twinkling
perfectly painted toes,
her hand lifts chin,
tears fall on her fingers,
he catches her eye, smiles
and dives into her soul
where it is safe from
the terrible world
of the day.