Come Here, Little One

Come here, little one, let me hold you in my arms
Let me hold you closer, let me keep you safe from harm.
The sadness in your eyes shows pain beyond your years.
Please, let me hold you, let me tickle away your tears.
To see you smile brings joy to my heart,
To see you weep tears my very soul apart.
So much have you seen, and so early, too.
It hurts to see you suffer, I see the things you do
To make yourself feel better, to rid yourself of pain,
Please, little one, there is still sun after the rain.
Remember to look up, into the stormy day
And thank God for the ones who are there to show you the way.
Like me, my little one, I will never let you down
I will stay there for you, I will never turn around.
So smile and dance, let me see the light shine in your eyes!
Please don't bind your spirit; live, my dear, not die.
Open up your heart, your soul, your mind, and then, sweet one, fly...

This poem is dedicated to my cousins: I know what you've been through, the harassment, the beatings, the cruelty that has been dealt to you. But smile, my cousins, the sun will shine again.