Coveted

it was weak, but my love for it was strong
as it fluttered around inside of my palms
how you felt so safe for it to be within my grasp
i always wondered, but it took the breath i'd use to ask
i tip-toed in slippers silently on egg shells
only conscious of the life, i so cautiously held
i was careful, hid it from all potentially detrimental, for it was purely gentle
i understood it needed every ounce of care
quiet within my clasp, i made sure to give it the perfect amount of air
spent years protecting it from the world's wrath, 
but once i detached my hands from one another, it wasn't there