Each time you leave,
my heart trembles

as my mind sings come home safe
sweet love, come home safe.

The world outside frightens me
daily – the anger and violence,

the vagaries of chance,
my helplessness.

When you leave, I become aware
of what I love most

and how my faith is too fragile
to contain the fears

that roil within
as my heart continues its mantra –
of tender uncertainty

come home safe, sweet one
come home safe.