Familiar

You held out a familiar comfort,

Softly faded, still creased from the last time you held it

Heart on my sleeve I stepped forward into the warmth that smelt like a summer's day at the beach

Woodsmoke, coconut sunscreen, salt, you and ozone

Your arms wrapped that last day around me,

Memories running cold fingers down my spine

I shivered and you pulled me closer into a remembering of security

Heart in my throat, I asked why you'd kept it all these years

Why it had travelled to so many places with you,

Through so many years?

Why it was still warm?

Why it still smelt like home?

You smiled, tucked it tighter, fingers to my cheek.

“Because… it's yours.”

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