Thief

Her eyes were big, brown, and bright Her hair was dark, like the sky at night Her skin was soft, her hands so small She barely smiled, yet I was enthralled Spinning her around and around and around She never wanted to be put down Safe in my arms, she falls asleep Oh, how I wish she was mine to keep And as she lays against my chest I just pray that she will be blessed That she won't stay where she is now That she will leave, someday, somehow I look down at her sweet, sweet face So young, too young, to be in this place This was never where she was supposed to be No child should ever live out on the streets To think that this precious, beautiful girl Fights every day for her place in this world That this may be the first time she's been cared for That she may have never experienced love before For though it seems impossible, or at least, improbable Though I hadn't expected this to happen at all I cannot deny what I have inside In my heart, I find love of the truest kind Love, real love, not a feeling or emotion Not love that's concocted like some formula or potion Not love that is shallow or only skin-deep But love that is pure and strong and complete For love is a choice, a conscious decision Actions and words planned with careful precision To show the depth, the width, the height Of the care that you have for another's life Now to my dismay, the time has come For me to return this little one Back to the place from where she came And still, I don't even know her name I relinquish my hold, and give her away She stirs, and awakens, and begins to wave I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks As I say my goodbyes, then turn and walk down the street It hurts so much! How can it be right To leave her, not knowing where she'll sleep tonight? The pain is too great! I just want it to end I just want my heart to be whole again I know I will heal. I know I will mend I know that I will be whole again But I am so thankful that I will have scars So I will never forget the thief of my heart