Taking A Step Back

Taking A Step Back

Breath flows through me,
surely slow,
surely certain
of my elephantine state,
a stampede of affection
that has crashed through your life,
trampled your thorough thoughts
and presenting a new way of weighing
where your priorities sit
on this temperamental scale.
But have I upturned
your very simple state of self,
your values smashing on the ground,
priceless china turned to dust in moments?
And if so...
is that as bad a thing
as I imagine?
My fears are endless and absurd,
yet they all agree;
you are who I hold dear,
taking you in my arms when I can
if only to reassure
the fool-hardy heart
that beats in my breast.
But perhaps I need
to take a step back
and see your soul as a whole
and not the almighty idol
I've made you out to be.
Only then can I truly hone my love
into the fine blade
that can protect us both
when facing our foe
in this internal duel.