I know the world has made you guarded,
made you hold your breath
whenever someone steps too close,
whenever someone's words come too fast,
too sharp.
But I will never raise my voice at you,
I will never push you into a corner
where you must defend yourself.
Instead, I will speak softlyâ
softly enough for you to know
that you are safe,
that you are heard,
that you are loved without condition.
My love will not bruise you.
My care will not burden you.
I will hold you gently in my heart,
where nothing can break you,
and nothing will ever make you feel small.
I will speak to you in ways
that build,
not destroy,
so that you can be free to stand
without the weight of fear on your shoulders.