To be held

is to be recognised as worthy

of consoling 

I’d rather: a million times 

be held than be loved

to be loved sometimes means

to be a muse in the back of someone’s

unprepared mind

but to be held?

Is to have your body celebrated

Folded into solace by hands that 

do not shake 

is to be chanted like an anthem

to be served the Loyalty of Arms

swearing tenderness to your bones.