Our Seventh Solstice

Seven years ago tomorrow, my partner and I went out on our first date. At least, at the time, I was hoping it was a date but I was too shy to ask for sure until months later (he assures me it was indeed intended to be a date).
Six years ago today, we got married (no confusion there; we were both fully aware of what was going on that time).

Our journey together has been deeply wonderful, and also different than we expected. I've written some about it here, here and here .

Today I thought I'd compile some of the art and poetry that he and our relationship has inspired over the years.
Happy 6th/7th anniversary David; my love, my patron, and my muse.

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CANDY CONVERSATIONS
September 30, 2013
Silence with you
Is like a smooth vanilla milkshake,
And your words
Are chunks of chocolate.
Every component is sweet
In it’s own way,
With it’s own texture and compliments
To the moments that come
Before and after.






NEBBIOLO RESERVE
May 20, 2014
I realized that,
Were I to write an ode to you,
It would sound more like a taste
Of fine red wine.
Sweet and bitter chocolate notes,
A hint of strawberry,
Tobacco smoke;
No saccharine sweetness,
But instead the depths of honey flavor,
A whiff of forest loam.
You are full and rich and challenging,
Appreciated most
By discerning palates.
I am privileged daily to experience
Every bit of your nuance;
Hold you up to the light
To admire the gradient and glow
Of your color
As, bit by bit,
I savor all you have to offer.




HAPPY HOUR
August 15 2015
I like it when you make me drinks;
Your concentration and precision,
The earnestness of your brow when you eye the jigger,
Your appreciation for the elegance of ice spheres.
Whether it’s a classic Martini, a Negroni,
Or the White Russians you make
Just because I like them,
Your competence with adult beverages
Quite frankly turns me on,
And I like to taste the edge of the alcohol
While I watch you move around the kitchen,
Thinking of how glad I am
That it’s me you’re making cocktails for.
All this brings me to my point, which is to say:
Somewhere between sips of my Gin and Tonic
As I watched you put the lime away
I realized that, these days,
I love you more than ever.




THAT ONE TIME WE WERE IN THE WOODS
Oct. 5th 2016
You eclipsed the sun as I looked up,
A pattern of lace in the leaves behind you;
A halo of light slicing through
Between the ends of your hair.
Your eyes were brighter
Than the shadows on your face,
Like two silver-blue pools
Lit from underneath.
Were they reflecting ripples on my skin,
Like liquid waves of light
Shining up through water,
Quivering with every shift of your gaze?
I felt them moving over me,
Washing me in purity
Clearer than the sunshine
You blotted out before me.
I wish that I could scuba dive
In the oceans of your eyes,
And find that source of light.
I’d let it burn me, blind me;
For I know that you have shown me
All I ever need to see.



STARSTUFF
Oct. 2019
You map my chaos
In a way
That leads me to
A greater purpose;
You Give it a story
That helps me see
My own beauty.
Among so many
Other things,
I love you for that.




ETERNITY
Feb. 2020
I don’t know what I believe anymore
About the afterlife.
I have my theories,
And my doubts;
My fantastical hopes for
A glittering cosmos
Of endless color and life,
Of light and love
Health and joy,
Maybe the ability
To talk to animals.
But more than anything,
I hope we reunite;
I hope we don’t fly past each other
In eternity.