I hear your footsteps from afar
I know they are yours
from the rhythm of your walk
I hear the ground start to vibrate beneath
Your footsteps never change
No matter sorrowful or seething, they remain as thunderous
When you aren’t smiling, they grow slightly louder
But only I can hear that
You cannot control it
I listen everyday
as you patrol down the hallway
for that slight change in the volume of your footsteps
One decibel higher and I know you are angry
I know the expression on your face
Teeth clenched, eyes stern
Knees locked, feet flexed
When you reach me, I avert my eyes,
feeling the stinging of your presence
You come over to me
I flinch as your hand reaches out
You stroke my back and kiss my cheek
I was wrong