Radiating Love

The resounding beat of his heart,
their interlocking fingers
as perfect puzzle pieces fitting together,
the purposeful gaze of his beautiful eyes are
the things she will always remember.

Disregarding the constant hurry of life,
when she sits by herself with her cats purring by her side,
this is when she can still feel him so close.
Right now, here in this moment
as she closes her eyes to see him again,
to feel his touch, his gentle kisses on her neck,
and the weight of his body on her own.

The void she felt before he came seemed eternal.
It was too late for her, she was told.
Years cascading down and passing, she was a good mother,
a friend, daughter, sister, but no one’s lover.
She immersed herself in her work, purpose and
found peace and beauty but didn’t find passion or desire.

Not now.
That space is filled.
Now she’s vibrant with a heart overflowing—she can
hope and still want something from life.
Like a disobedient youth, she runs wild in her mind,
imagining him, the scent of him,
the sense of smooth skin under her fingers,
until she sees him again and
nestles in his arms, drinking in his embrace.

In silent preparation to sleep, she smiles
and her whole body radiates love around her
to him,
in her bedroom,
to the city,
this country, and
the whole world.
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First Published in Spark, a print literary journal, in May 2019

Poetry of the Month, February 2020