A Grown-Up Way

Sitting in a green plastic chair,
She is crying,
And it is not the winter that makes her cold.
I stand in awkward silence.
One foot pointing toward her,
The other poised to step away.

Take back the hurt, dry up the tears.
Reassure me that everything is as carefree
As it used to be.
I long for childhood,
When it was understood that I did not mean
The things I said, and all I ever did was
Step on toes.

I have amended and spring has again descended
On this house.
There is a grown-up way of saying I'm sorry.
But I understand now what she means when
She says, "They'll step on your heart."