look
at his hands
dexterity runs in his veins like blood
he cuts ice like an executioner
and he is real

I will not romanticize him
no more than he deserves
I find no beauty
in some parts of him
but that
of course
is natural

so much of him
though
is lovely
and fierce
in equal measures

the color of his eyes
warm and deep
most times
but sometimes
his eyes are strength
I would be afraid
if I didn’t know

that he likes marshmallows
in his hot chocolate
and
he can’t go to animal shelters
without crying
and
and I know what he looks like
in the morning
and at night

sleep-mussed
drooling
ridiculous
as all get out
ring
on his left hand