the teacher & the doctor
for Abby & Erik-Stephane
to love deeply
is to step beyond the wall
that could protect you
choosing instead to be a shield
for those who have no wall
to love deeply
is to listen, to speak,
to shout, to scream
for those who are not voiceless
but ignored
to love deeply
is to hold each life
in a sacred grasp
to feel the heartbeat
as it harmonizes with your own
to love deeply
is to do all this
when your own future is unclear
to trust in one another
to light the way
/ / /
8 October 2025
Charlottesville VA