This is a poem about kisses.
The kiss from a mother to a child as she sends him off to school for the first time.
She is nervous but smiles a calming smile that sends him out into the world without a doubt in his mind that he can conquer the universe knowing she stands behind him, always.
She does.

The kiss of a father to his five year old son. Placed neatly on the forehead. A little wet, a little odd and awkward for both, but an affectionate act the boy remembers forever even as a man. A kiss that said “come what may, our bond will stay”.
And it did.

The kiss on the cheek from a sister whose every instinct has always been to protect him. Often against his own wishes and desires. Always for his own good.
Him only to realise while looking back over his shoulder, feeling the warmth of an infantile kiss on the cheek he cannot remember but is sure was pecked gently and lovingly.
And it was.

The kiss of a lover making smooth dust of all his rigid fears and planting gardens of flowers in his soul for them both to walk through hand in hand through the avenues of time, transcending the boundaries of life and death in a seamless motion between realms. A motion ending slowly with a smile and another quick, unexpected smooch on his lips that reassures him this kiss was not the last.
It was not.

The kiss of a father to his young daughter. A  kiss carrying a history greater than her little head cares to imagine.
A kiss that tells her she can conquer all knowing he stands behind her.
A kiss that says “I will protect you, always”
A kiss slightly odd, slightly awkward and a little wet.
Placed carefully on her forehead where it will stay forever.