I’m sitting there—
alone
on a bench.
You wanted to see the Milky Way.
So I arranged it
for you.
You sit next to me,
the park bench slates pressing on your ass—
uncomfortable, I know…
but you do it anyway.
For me.
You lift your arm,
wrap it
around the back of my neck.
Forearm brushing my skin
as it glides on.
My entire body—
my nervous system—
they look at each other and nod.
In unison.
They relax.
So safe.
You make me feel that way.
Reaching down,
you place your hand
on my heart.
Lean your head on my shoulder,
and—
pat tap.
To the beat.
Pat pat… pat pat… pat pat…
your hands move.
My little heart percussionist,
you are.
I love it so.
I am bare
to you.
All of me.
Your presence
has that effect.
It is so welcome.
So, so welcome.
I slant my head
just so—
kiss your head.
The smell of hair and scalp
brings me peace.
For some damn reason.
We gaze at the sky,
us both,
marveling at that sky canvas
painted millions of years ago.
But while you look up—
I turn
my gaze
to you.
From the side,
your silhouette
is more vast than the Milky Way.
To me.
Your eyes—
they smile in wonder.
So full of life!
Bright,
happy,
curious,
longing…
and there’s hurt there,
although hidden.
Not ready to reveal itself.
That’s OK with me.
That hurt is yours
to share
when you will.
And I decided—
then and there—
to love you
forever.
You,
and all of your complexity.
And your sexy-as-fuck self.
To show you how I feel,
I use my mind powers.
I send a white light
that emanates from
all of me—
my toes,
my beard,
my nose,
my pores.
I push that light
from deep inside.
Create it.
Send it
to you.
Wrap you in it.
A light-cocoon
of love,
of peace.
Of comfort.
Of safety.
Of space
to just…
be.
If you accept it—
you will transform,
just like the butterfly does.
It’s the least I can do
to return the ease
you’ve given me.
So brief
it has been.
You move a bit—
and your hand
stops
the beat.
And I ask you,
with love in my voice:
Please…
don’t move your hand.
Keep it with me.
On me.
Forever.
And I
will help
your heart
beat.
And you
will help
mine
beat.
And our hearts—
they will beat
as one.
I will care for you.
Love you.
Nurture you.
Support you.
For as long
as I can—
I will do that
for you.