Years ago

White door creaks as it opens;
hadn't seen your face like this
since those days
years ago

when you would battle through the rain;

this time the storm was your pain.
We would stand beneath the lightning;

turns out it does strike twice,

Your tears wet my shoulder,
I hold you tight,
like the carefree days
years ago

When you would pick me up;
I'd run the length of the playground 
and jump into your open arms.
This time I hold you.

You’re sobbing,
‘stay positive’
clouds form overhead;
hoping the forecast wrong.

Weeks pass by 
the door still creaks
as I open it,
now nobody notices it amidst constant thunder. 

I ask you how you feel
‘I am fine’
But we both know a discomforting lie,
The same question you asked me when I was five.

Childlike fear of the storm
has not subsided.
Every time the lightning strikes we jump,
to years ago.