There was really something majestic in that horse's figure 

and in the terrible union in him of repulsive indications of

decreptitude, emphasized by the motley color of his hair, 

and his manner which expressed the self-confidence and 

calm assurance that go with beauty and strength. Like a 

living ruin he stood alone in the midst of the dewey 

meadow..

-from Kholstromer, a Horse named Yardstick, 

by Leo Tolstoy

why are you
always protecting him
why can't it be me for once
who needs protection

who is the real danger here 

the truth

it will hurt you.
but it will also heal you.

she greeted me,
i held her hand,
admiring the rock
she kissed my forehead
and it felt like
betrayal

 how to take care of me:

speak to me in sunshine and green leaves/ encourage me with 

words dripping with living water/ nurture me and caress me 

with the back of your knuckles/cup my chin/tuck me in, covering me in a 

wave of heavy blankets/run fingers through my hair till 

my lids grow thick with sleepiness/ lead me/

leave me/allow me alone time to be at ease/

come back to me/pursue me/remind me to take walks

and sprawl out in the sun/ trust me/ empower me/

tell me you believe in me and remind me i am 

capable/invite me to do mundane tasks with you/

make me coffee/bring out my laughter my tenderness 

my wisdom/

and i will thrive