You are a stowaway in my dreams from time to time,
Lurking behind dark corners with an unreadable countenance,
These uninvited, unexpected hauntings make me uneasy,
My friends see you, and though you keep your distance,
You invade my privacy, set me on edge, cause me to doubt
     …that we ever were together
     …that we ever were in love
     …that we ever embraced, kissed, and allowed our passion to overtake us
     …that we ever longed to see each other again and again
     …that we ever lay next to each other, whispering, laughing, staring into each other’s eyes.

I awaken and begin to revisit that happy part of our life: encapsulated and insulated and isolated,
Those moments and memories of joy exist today in my mind just as they existed in reality,
They are steadfast, they are immovable, they are timeless, they are treasured, they are mine,
And no bad dreams, no ugliness, no hindsight, no unhappy ending, no deception or truth will I allow
To alter in the least my commitment to remembering
     …the love I felt for you
     …the sensitivity of your kisses
     …the grasp of your hand in mine
     …the soothing sound of your voice
     …the feel of your hand on my chest, then shoulder
     …the thoughts we shared with each other
     …the kind words you softly spoke to me
     …the heat of your body against mine
     …the taste and scent of your skin
     …the gaze of your eyes into mine
     …the smile I saw each time we rushed toward each other to embrace
     …the laughter we traded back and forth, over and over

I get to choose what occupies my waking thoughts, and I choose to remember the happiness we shared.
One day it will be impossible for me to recall anything except pure joy and happiness,
Though that time is not here yet, I look forward to it and have faith that it is closer than I think.