joshua

it was a moment of uncomfortable relief.
a bizarre sensation of awkward embarrassment,
intermingled with liberated delight -
as you introduced yourself.

i sidled diagonally, in an endearing attempt to
bin the tacky trinkets i had been preoccupying myself with.
but, with a smile that was without the slightest hint of contempt,
you reached gently behind my back and with your strong hands took hold of mine and brought them out of the shadows.
with one finger, you lifted my chin up,
and our eyes met in that place of secure vulnerability.

i was utterly disarmed.
everything about you captivated me.
and reduced me to cliches, apparently.

my cheeks burned with the shame
of such tragically wasted attention,
as i stood in this place of excruciating clarity:
what the heck had i devoted myself to before now?
and how could i have so deceived myself to think that
those things were even worth comparing to you?

your touch was the thing i had been searching for
without knowing i was searching for something.

your gaze knew me more thoroughly than i knew myself.

this is the stuff of myths.

how can you be real?

or rather -
how could i have mistaken all those watered down realities
for this single, enduring one i am face to face with now?

i'd like to stay here with you forever.