I'm not leaving alone.

You stare at me with dazed eyes
you can't comprehend what I have said.
I have sounded out every vowel
I spoke clearly.
What is there that you misunderstood?

"You are coming with me."

Where are we going? you ask
your lips pursed
your suddenly restless hands bunching up your skirt
because you're afraid that what you think I have said
is what I really mean.

"To where there is to go from here.
I'm leaving, and I'm taking you with me.
I heard that there is somewhere better that anywhere else
somewhere far away from here."

Where is this place? you question
but you already know.
It's the place where everybody goes
when they can't find another way out
where night is morning
and everything is unknown.

"And I'm too scared to go alone
so I'm taking you with me."