You cling to my neck, exhausted
Sitting in the best seat in town
We call it the arm chair
Which always makes you smile
Keeping you safe is my only thought now
I have a headache, an earache, and chills ripple through my body
But I keep you entertained and laughing
Hoards of moving people move towards the train
They are all strangers to us
We’re all people, but none do I trust
To guard your innocence, to keep you safe
To care for you, like I care for you
When not carrying you I hold your small hand tightly
So tightly that you sometimes say, “Ow”
And need to open and close your hand a few times to return the blood flow
You’re young, and pure, and sweet, and innocent,
And have no awareness of the dangers I perceive
I promise you I’ll try
To never leave you
Alone in the subway.
THE GALWAY COW 