I

I hope. I hope you know. I hope you know. (Soft pause) Stop. I love you. I love you. Time flutters like moths in my gut— I can’t love without knowing love, can you? Let it go, Let it go. Do you feel it? How does that story unfold? Braided bread in the oven— Children’s laughter spills like warmth. Was I lost, once? What was I before? Now, everything aches. Everyone carries their weight, Not always, but yes— Mother, wise and tender, knows best. I pray you’ll always forgive me, In the quiet between heartbeats— A whispered hope, That lingers And echoes When tomorrow holds us again. I hope you know. I hope. I hope you know. (Soft pause) Stop. I love you. I love you. Time flutters like moths in my gut— I can’t love without knowing love, can you? Let it go, Let it go. Do you feel it? How does that story unfold?