Practice

It takes practice to protect the ones you love.

You have to work hard

Give warm hugs

Wipe flowing tears

Grant shoulder rides

Tell half-truths

Invent pure lies

Use simple words to explain complicated matters.

You may need to cull certain people out of your life

Keep a watchful eye

Monitor small changes

Look for clues to determine possible heartache.

You can pray to a higher power when your hands are tied
Depend on lessons taught
Wait for a miracle

Swallow your fears
Hold your breath for sudden enlightenment to strike.

At times, you watch in silence.

Others, you scream away.

Use your fists on someone else’s face, blocking danger.

And some times, there’s nothing left to do but point a gun.

It takes practice to protect the ones you love.

Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards  and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.