It’s hard to look at your childhood photos

and know that you didn’t have

what you needed and deserved.

I ache for that little girl.

I want to protect her.

Sometimes I wonder if I would sacrifice

what we have now

if I could go back in time

and be an adult in your life

who loved you through all the hard things

you experienced,

stuff no child should have to endure.

I don’t just want to love you

in the present

and the future.

I want to love you in the past as well,

all the versions of you

that could have used some help.

Sometimes I wish

I could rewrite history

even if it means unwriting us.

I wish I could give you

the safety and security and happiness

you always should have had.