Just after dusk I walked in,

I catch your eyes first,

Warm just from that look,

Genuinely unrehearsed.


If it were only your eyes, your eyes,

That made my soul sing,

If it were only your voice,

your voice,
That inspires all that I bring.

It’s your mind, I find,

Sharp, unshaken, shared,

Unbridled, unmatched, understanding,


Fair.


Fallen, of course,

perfect you’re not.

But it’s passion and patience

And purpose I sought.


You take my hand,

Your eyes have never left mine,

You whisper, “You’re beautiful,”

“Beauty defined.”


My reality has become

More precious than dreams,

And my weaknesses remain,

But you love those, it seems.


And I love yours, how strange…

How beaten paths can direct

And the stars can arrange,

Have a greater effect.


And the planets align,

And the traffic speeds by,

And the people they chatter,

And the frustrated sigh.


But our affection’s steadfast,

In the midst of this room,

In the midst of this life and

Universe, I assume.


My hand covers yours,

The one on my cheek,

I close my eyes and lean in,

no need to speak.


They flutter open, there you are,

Still staring, studying my face,

And the swelling feeling follows knowing

You’re in the right place.


I turn my head, kiss your palm,

Hum the tune

Of our favorite song.


Nestle closer

In your arms.

Feel your heart,

Hear your breath,

The most calming sound

My ears have met.


And the world stands still,

Just like my mom said it would.

And it melts away,

Everything’s as it should.


And somewhere far, far away,

I understand it can’t last,

The Earth’s eager to toss its seas,

The people, hungry to go fast.


But we’re tethered together,

No matter how far apart,

by the strength of our heads

and the work of our hearts.


I’m in the moment,
I choose to remain.
I choose to love,
I choose to change.

-Shea Golden