40.

I won’t ever be
the cornerstone
on which you rely
when storms shake

I’ll be shaking, too

my arms are weak
from pulling
my own weight up
the staircase and

I’m still prone to falling (hard)

but I can fall into
your bed
and lie with you
and catch some leaking raindrops
on my tongue

I can grow flowers for you
from the bottoms of my toes
and keep them certain colors
chocolate brown and gray
to match your eyes

maybe sometimes
I can hold you
when you shiver
in the wind (though
I’ll be freezing, too)

and some nights
I’ll be too cold
to open my fingers
and reach for you
and maybe you
could be there
with a chilly palm
of your own