the 27 withouts

in her time there have been none
save one…
who all at once, once and for all
has proved his worth
after her fall

the soulful eyes that shone
right on through his tender core
past his poetic heartbeat -
true, he has a questioning manner
urged only by his challenging intellect
that like a vignette frames the demented depths of creativity
which so often lay silent in him
and though he is naturally unstable, which only
makes him more than unnaturally fun…
he has always remained kind
and incessantly generous of himself with others
past the point of humility
his loving soul glimmering
like the flecks of glass that catch your eye in a fancy sidewalk
there is an equanimity in him and a humanity
that is as much a part of his powerful spirit as his
senseless humor, fierce loyalty
and compassionate nature combined

and somehow one day - through backrubs
given by strong hands
and intrepid journeys embarked upon
during the most dangerous of nights
she was encouraged by his raw drive for adventure
and for a short time she felt his gentle touch
savored the taste of sensual kisses
and intimate freedom…

she smiles when she thinks of it now…
times with him before she pulled a Houdini,
when they reaffirmed life with every
laugh, smoke, drink and…
oh, how the whims of youth are never satiated
like regrets that take a lifetime to come forward

but, she is sure his future welcomes
the interdependence that comes like the free gift with purchase
when you finally buy back into true love,
and you know what, he deserves it
this man who is forever nurturing, always supportive
and never, ever lies –
he, who all at once, once and for all
has proved his worth
after her fall