You touch my cheek

and cup it in your

warm and big hands.

I lean into you

responding to your touch

after so long.

But I hesitate and

pull back.

Your hand doesn’t move

and I look at you.

Something in your expression

I think it was your eyes

makes me cry and smile

at the same time

and you pull me to you

hold me tight

and whisper a promise

in my ear.

“Never again.”