Diving

I clutched your hand to keep you from falling.
I held it to keep you with me.
As I looked at your face as you were bawling
It wasn't the fall that would hurt you, but me.

So I released your hand so gently.
I can still feel it in mine.
It was then that I realized abruptly
That it was not you falling, but I.

That fall carried me downward.
It brought me so far away.
Though when I saw you, so far, smiling
I still felt your hand in mine.