Saved by Captain America

he held his small hands

on my cheeks and pressed

his own soft face against mine

are you sad, too?

why is mom sad?

my voice faltered on truth

we had to say goodbye

to a friend, I said

so we're sad

the tears held fast,

at the eyes' edge

my cheeks stayed dry

so his would 

he is three and somehow

without words

I felt the need to shield him

from my sudden sorrow

I wanted to hug him close 

let loose the tears, waiting

he reached for a book,

giving me an easy out

read to me?

he shifted to my lap

small fingers turning pages

away we went, 

fighting with Captain America

and behind his broad shield

I hid from death

(poem #7 for National Poetry Day)