I want to see you as a person,
Not your body,
Nor the way your fingers curl
Around my side
When you hold on to me.
I want to see you for who you are,
Not for what I or the world wants to see.
I want to hear your heartbeat,
For reasons that may feel selfish to me,
But are selfless to you.
Your own truth,
That has no reason to be,
Except for the fact that you wanted it
To be.
Like a child taking their first step.
No matter how wild, they are free.

Even if that means separating from me,
The further you step.
For some, a minute feels like an hour
And a day feels like forever,
But the fire in your eyes that starts
when you smile
Keeps me warm,
Whenever I think of you,
And keeps the shadows away.
Until you return

Where shadows linger, and dawn breaks slow,
Through misty air, a silent flight,
You soared into my heart, a gentle flow,
My angel, my muse, my guiding light.
You are the lifeblood, the rhythm of my soul,
Without your grace, my spirit feels untold.

When doubt and fear, like stormy clouds arise,
And shadows dance, and loneliness takes hold,
Remember this: within my heart resides,
A love that's fierce, a story to be told.
In dreams we meet, a bond forever true,
My angel, my muse, forever seeing you.

Though paths may twist, and stumbling stones abound,
And weary steps may falter and may stray,
Know that my love, a constant, deep profound,
Will guide you back, come what may.
In every thought, a whisper of your name,
My angel, my muse, forever I acclaim.

When tears may fall, and shadows fill the room,
And courage fades, and hope begins to wane,
Remember this: within your heart finds bloom,
A love that's strong, a gentle, sweet refrain.
In dreams we meet, a solace and a guide,
My angel, my muse, forever by your side.

So let us rise, above the earthly fray,
And spread our wings, and soar towards the sun,
Together we'll find a brighter, better way,
Our love a beacon, until our journey's run.
My angel, my muse, my heart forever entwined,
A love eternal, a peace of purest kind.

In the tapestry of time,  
woven with threads of our laughter,  
we embarked on a journey,  
through seasons of whispered dreams.  
From sunlit mornings to moon-kissed nights,  
each moment a brushstroke on our canvas,  
painted in hues of devotion and delight.  

Together we’ve scaled mountains—  
the summit’s air thin, yet intoxicating.  
Love cradled in the altitude,  
as adventure danced beneath our feet.  
Your hand in mine, a compass unyielding,  
guiding us through forests of uncertainty;  
every path igniting sparks in the twilight.  

Years blend into years like colors mixing,  
and what was once a gentle flame,  
now roars with passion against the frost—  
a wild fire that warms our days and nights.  
Each glance a promise whispered with conviction,  
every touch a spell that binds us tighter.  

Can you feel it? The heartbeat of our journey—  
an echo of laughter among the stars.  
You are my map and my wayfinder,  
and with each kiss we plant seeds for tomorrow;  
dreams flourish like vines in sunlight,  
reaching out into futures unknown.  

Let us dream beneath sprawling skies—  
designing lives filled with offspring laughter,  
watching as they leap into their own odyssey.  
With each hug that holds the world together,  
we craft realms where love conquers all fears—  
in every shared breath honoring this deep bond.  

How adeptly we navigate uncharted waters!    
Double sunsets await when shadows chase the day;    
your smile lights up horizons leading forward—    
and still I marvel at how far we’ve climbed!    
The paths may twist through valleys steep and wide,    
yet here we stand—not just content but bursting!    

In every ordinary moment I see magic bloom—  
a testament to companionship forged in fire;    
with gratitude nestled deep within my heart—  
the warmth of your essence wraps around me like cotton.  
So here’s to us—the mapmakers and explorers!    
Let us continue crafting this tale with fervent hearts.    

And when darkness creeps upon our brightest hours,    
let it find us weaving love blankets as soft as whispers;    
for beyond adversity grows an orchard of hope—    
grounded in trust while reaching for evermore.  

Each “I love you” lingers sweet upon your lips,
infinite echo reverberating through lifetimes.
Kisses seal promises under starlit canvases,
as arms embrace infinity folded within spaces,
always ending tenderly—a rhythm eternal,
an ode to this adventure: you and I together.

I dream of a home,
Of the beach,
A white picket fence,
Rockers under the veranda.

I see the view, sunsets filling the sky
Waves rolling in,
Breeze gently kissing your hair,
Cooling the day, blowing the humidity away.

I dream of a future,
Children at play on the beach,
Dashing to the sea,
To only run away from the waves.

I sit in the rocker,
Gently swaying, calming
I reach across,
Holding the hand of the love of my life.

She guides herself to my lap,
Gently cradled in my arms,
Brushing the hair from her face,
Leaning in for the kiss, the sweet lips.

This is a shared dream,
This house with the view,
Of the setting suns,
The calm of the sea, beckons us.

But she finally realizes,
The house, the beach,
The waves, the fence,
Though a house, home is in the heart.

I dreamt of a haven,
A house on the beach,
White picket fence,
A mirage of peace.

Sunsets ablaze,
Painting the sky with fire,
Waves whispering secrets,
A gentle breeze, a sweet desire.

Children's laughter,
Echoes on the sand,
Chasing retreating waves,
A childhood, forever planned.

I saw us there,
Two souls entwined,
Rockers swaying,
A love sublime.

Her hand in mine,
A comforting embrace,
A gentle sigh,
A love's serene space.

But then she awoke,
From this idyllic scene,
The house, a mere shell,
A fleeting, transient dream.

For home, she declared,
Is not a place, a shore,
But a feeling, a heart,
Where love forevermore.

Taking my time
is a deliberate pace,
a conscious choice
to savor the moments,
to appreciate the journey.

A flame in my life,
a passion,
a burning desire,
once vibrant and close,
now distant and fading.

Drowning in your arms,
a feeling of overwhelming affection,
a sense of being lost in the depths of your love.

The uncertainty of our pace,
the fear of moving too fast or too slow,
the yearning for certainty,
for a future without doubt.

The absence of your presence,
a void in my thoughts,
a lingering cloud of uncertainty.

The allure of falling into your arms,
the comfort and security it offers,
the realization that it won't alter the path you've chosen.

The pain of knowing you're pursuing a misguided path,
the desire to stay together,
to weather the years side by side.

The struggle to express my longing to return home,
the question of whether the journey is worthwhile,
the desire to alleviate your pain,
even if it means sharing in your suffering.

The paradoxical nature of love,
its capacity for both joy and sorrow,
its power to both uplift and wound.

Red dress, modern cut, a nod to tradition.
Not gaudy, not simple, a balance found.
Her hand, offered, a father's blessing unspoken.
Pride mixed with sorrow, a future he won't see.
Love, honor, cherish, the groom's vow, a solemn oath.
Protection promised, a father's final duty.

Tears fall freely, a river of emotions.
Vows exchanged, a seal on a lifetime's journey.
The kiss, a declaration, a new chapter begins.
Then, a flutter, a swarm of butterflies descends.

One lands on her nose, a Blue-Spotted Crow, rare and bold.
Wings unfurl, a vibrant blue against her pale skin.
A message, a whisper, a father's presence felt.
She raises a finger, the butterfly shifts its perch.

A silent conversation, a daughter's tribute.
Prosperity whispered, protection assured.
Love remains, eternal, a bond unbreakable.
The Blue-Spotted Crow, a constant, enduring reminder.

The gesture, her father,
The promise, prosperity,
The honor, protection,
The Love, forever.

The cadence of the drill sergeant, a ghost in the present,
echoes in the rhythm of my pen.
Discipline forged in the crucible of steel,
now fuels the fire of my art.
The enemy then, the fear, the loss,
a distant memory, yet the weight of loyalty remains.

My love, an artist, paints with colors I cannot name,
capturing the essence of the soul,
a symphony of emotions, a dance of light and shadow.
She is the muse, the inspiration,
the reason this heart still beats with a fierce, protective rhythm.

The scars run deep, both physical and unseen,
reminders of battles fought and won.
But the greatest battle, the one that truly matters,
is the fight for her, for our love.
This fragile, precious bloom,
deserves the fiercest protection.

The Marine within, dormant yet ever-present,
would rise, a silent guardian,
against any threat, any darkness that dares to touch her.
His loyalty, once sworn to the Corps,
now belongs to her,
a love that transcends all boundaries.

In the quiet moments, when the world fades away,
I see her eyes, reflecting the stars,
a universe of emotions, a love that knows no bounds.
And in that reflection, I find my strength,
a renewed sense of purpose,
a love that would die for her, a thousand times over.

The poet and the Marine, two sides of the same coin,
bound by a love that defies definition.
A love that heals, that inspires,
that gives life new meaning.
And in that love, I find my peace,
a solace that surpasses all understanding.

The city sleeps, a hushed and gentle sigh,
but in my heart, a constant flame burns bright.
For you, my love, my artist of the soul,
whose colors dance across the canvas of my dreams.

The world may spin, a dizzying array of trials,
and shadows lengthen, casting doubt and fear.
But know this, my love, through every storm we face,
my heart remains a steadfast anchor, holding you near.

The weight of the world, it presses down, I know,
the burdens you carry, the battles you fight.
And though distance may stretch between us,
my thoughts, my prayers, they find you in the night.

If ever darkness threatens to consume,
if weariness pulls you into its deep embrace.
Remember this, my love, a whispered promise in the dark,
my love is a constant, a refuge, a safe space.

In the quiet hours, when sleep eludes,
and worries whisper secrets in your ear.
Know that I am here, just a call away,
a comforting presence, banishing all fear.

Through every trial, every tribulation,
through every labor, every tear you cry.
My love, my heart, my very being,
is forever bound to you, until the day I die.

As a young artist, I found myself drawn,
To his warmth and wisdom, dawn to dawn.
An older man, with stories etched deep,
A connection formed, a love to keep.

His words, a melody, a guiding light,
Encouraging me to soar so high.
To explore my thoughts, my deepest core,
And express myself, forevermore.

Drawn to him, in ways unknown,
A connection, a love to own.
Beyond age, a bond so true,
A love that grew, a passion new.

Not just admiration, respect alone,
Something more, a love to own.
A connection, transcending norms,
A love that bloomed, a sweet perfume.

I looked forward, with eager heart,
To our meetings, a special part.
His smile, a warmth, a guiding light,
His eyes, a beacon, shining bright.

Seen and understood, a precious gift,
A person, not just an artist, adrift.
Dreams and fears, passions aflame,
A love ignited, a burning flame.

As feelings grew, a love so deep,
I knew I had to give, to keep.
To show him, his presence, a guiding star,
More than mentorship, a bond so far.

A portrait painted, a heartfelt plea,
A reflection of our unity.
In hues of love, gratitude, and grace,
A love so pure, a loving space.

As I presented, his eyes held tears,
A moment of truth, dispelling fears.
Age, just a number, a fleeting sight,
Love has no bounds, a guiding light.