He approaches quietly, cautiously
his neck stretched out as far as it will go
one step at a time, with a pause in between
quick breaths are all I can hear.

I sit quietly, not daring to breathe
a fly tickles but I can not move
he takes a carrot from my still hand
retreating to chew.

I long to reach out to him,
to explore his ears and forehead
to find his favorite scratchy spot
to gently clean the tears from his eyes.

But for today I sit dreaming
And blessing him silently
waiting, waiting for the day
I can kiss his nose and whisper
'I am glad you were born,
you are safe now, rest easy.'

courtesy - Kimberly Hobson on the rescue of her formerly abused BLM burro