Sharon Apold: The Centurion And The Butterfly

You who are good, strong and whole
you hold me as though I am a butterfly
delicate, flighty, fleeting

You who are solid, and calm and reliable
you have your hands just outside my wings
protecting, shielding, guarding

You who are wise, kind and stable
you look at me and watch my attempts at flight
unsure, unsteady, broken

You who feel my pain and bleed for me
you wonder if I am merely your fantasy 
ethereal, tempting, enticing

You who are my guardian and place to rest
you see inside my beguiling exterior
bright, colourful, entrancing

You who keep me steady and safe
you hold part of my soul inside of you
warm, alive, eternal

You who are my friend, love, soulmate
you own my heart and share my body
soft, strong, responsive 

You who are my palace and home
you can feel safe with me
treasured, adored, loved