shock blanket

the wild fire has at last died down

we've emerged, safe and sound

shaking. in your fear you drown

while standing on solid ground

my hug is a verb, not a noun

i’ll wrap my arms around

you, the only thing I know how

i'll be your shock blanket, for now

i can’t smoothen that frown

or say, what’s lost can be found

but i can tell you: "i'm proud

of us, for making it out.”