stem the flow of time

Time is measured in the breaths and heartbeats
of the one whose warmth envelopes you on winter nights,
whose arms comfort you when grief threatens to overwhelm
with the sheer weight of its undeniable and unbearable presence,
whose soft words banish the voices of derision
and smooth the erosion from gnawing doubts.
Time flows like the inhalations and exhalations of the one you love,
who loves you,
and when that heart ceases its beating,
time stops as well.