Dear Child, I am listening
knowing you trust me to hold
       your words
       your heart
              made of my blood
in my cupped hand
       hold them firmly
              gently
      feel their weight

Dear Child, I am only listening
weighing my unspoken words
knowing one ill-chosen could slice you
       slice into your heart
       my heart 
              my own flesh and blood
       a knife that could slip through your flesh
              then straight through into mine