you rise up before me, broad and beautiful and smiling

you gently push the hair back from my face

and then grab a fistful, pulling my head back to ravage my mouth.

we laugh, because even here,

tangled in sheets and sweaty limbs and lust,

we are on an adventure.

you are strong,

and when i am with you

i am not afraid

to be strong too.

you dare me to be myself—

i dare you to be free.

“I want to see you,” you said.

yes—i ‘ve wanted to see me,

reflected, in another’s eyes,

the way that you see me.

full of sunlight

hopelessly distracted

crooked glasses

laughing through a mouthful of oatmeal

nose lost in a book

head tossed back in passion

eyes dreamy with sleep

me.

just me.

let’s get lost underneath the covers

or maybe take a walk down the beach

and see

how much we can discover

how much we can learn

of you

of me

of us

of the moonbeams and the peach trees.

life is short

but I have a feeling

i could spend
forever

climbing mountains

surfing waves

exploring the shadows of your body

the depths of your eyes

the joy

of your smile.

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Editor: Renée Picard

Photos: Pixoto, elephant archives