# Stay Here in the Quiet *Softly, almost whispered* The sun is melting on the windowsill, Gold upon your cheek, the whole room still. Your shoulder underneath my tired head, No need to speak—your breathing says it best. Your fingers find my hand beneath the sleeve, A little touch that asks me not to leave. And for a while, the evening holds its breath, As if the light is frightened to forget. *Stay here in the quiet,* *Stay until the colours disappear.* *You don’t have to mend me,* *Just be the gentle thing that’s near.* When the walls begin to tremble, When the noise is coming through, Lay your heartbeat close beside me— Let the world break softly While I’m safe with you. The daylight folds itself behind the trees, You pull the blanket higher round my knees. I hear your whisper, warm against my hair: “You don’t have to be okay. I’m here.” And something in me loosens at the sound, A frightened little piece comes settling down. You trace a quiet circle on my skin, And teach my shaking body how to breathe again. *Stay here in the quiet,* *Stay until the colours disappear.* *You don’t have to mend me,* *Just be the gentle thing that’s near.* When my thoughts become a thunderstorm And I cannot see them through, Lay your heartbeat close beside me— Let the world break softly While I’m safe with you. *Slower* No grand promises. No perfect words. Only your thumb brushing over mine. Only your arms Opening slightly— And me understanding the sign. Come closer. Closer still. Let the silence sing What our voices never will. *Barely above a whisper* Stay here in the quiet, Past the final thread of light. Hold me like the morning Doesn’t need to come tonight. If the whole world falls to pieces, We’ll let every piece fall through— There is nowhere I need saving If I’m breaking Here with you. The sun is gone now, But the warmth remains. Your hand in mine. My cheek against your chest. And nothing is fixed. And nothing has to be. You whisper, “Rest.” So I rest.
