Beloved one at the rim to the other side.

Today, I bring you my companionship with words,

for I will never claim to know your journey to this point.

Before we converse, I ask you to put away the rope,

the rope you are holding so tight as a bridge away from this world.

It is dark, and we are going to need some light to be seen.

I am lighting a wood fire to invoke all our guardians to join us.

Let us praise and thank them for protecting and guiding us to here.

Before we speak, lend me your arms so I can pray for our life.

Allow me to unburden what is weighing you to this moment.

Speak it or not, but I shall remain here holding hands ’til dawn.

The night is vast, and we will not be rushed to light.

What matters is we stay here together, facing this darkness.

I will not let us die emotionally in helplessness.

I have brought my heart and mind to drink them, and I hope

you will allow me to refill yours with spoons of hope and love.

The bridge before us is unknown, and I would have flown if I knew.

But we are still here, together, gazing at this fire, and I pray

it will not die before we have untied the knot in your heart

and the thoughts fencing you away from hope and worthiness.

Lend me your heart and mind so I can give mine.

I don’t know what tomorrow has in store for us

but on this night, I vow to keep you safe in my arms.

This night is ours only; we will own and claim it like the moon.

I hope you will take it and decide to keep, and it is all right

to visit in phases—sometimes full and sometimes waning.

Thank you for taking this night and allowing me to be in it.

The fire is still burning and the night blushing with hope.

The embers of life ignited; I see you choosing to stay.

Weary, battered, and bruised, you have chosen to stay.

Tomorrow can come, and I see you walking back to life.