Seems wrong
Every time
I learn how to love
find the strange things
unusually beautiful
in the smells
painting a picture
of soft soapy skin
that stinky cigarette
smoking in the air
smoldering in the dark
mysterious secrets
like wafting puffs
blowing me around
*like the curious circles
around your eyes
transporting me again
through the veins
in your hands
touching me
a beer gut laughing
merrily admiring me
after enjoying your dinner

memories they flood my mind

salt n pepper hair waving
and those lovely laugh lines
beautiful eyes of grey blue
deeply meaningful

I see every breath we took together

revealing problems
you're facing
my hands
are slowly retracing

endearing my heart
with the way
you look at me
and hear you say
how you love me
& just how much
realizing this is it
ship is in
contented & warmed
by the flames dancing
like a sultry voice
enticingly familiar  
in that safe fire...place
combustible
touched by the simplicities
accepting the way we are

as the momentum
is realized
at the precipice
when the log burning
collapses from heat
exhausted & wanting relief
when love finally
comes to fruition

then...
it is just gone
I am carried away

just like the wind

just like the wind

that took that fire out

Cherie Nolan © 2016