Core Essence

This morning’s goodbyetugged and pulledlike never beforeas I tattooed a kisson your neckinhaling your smellwhile your eyes searched,smiling,reaching,that place of homeno one else has before.Twenty-five years of thisis wearing us downto break the restrictionswe created for safety:the not-falling-in-love clause;the no-questions-asked rule;the only-a-few-days-at-a-time mantra;the take-in-for-what-it-is precious moments.This week was differentand you asked;I replied.You went there;I returned holding your hand.I expect nothing;you anticipate even less.But,somewhere in the in-betweenthe words“I will miss you”echoed from both our lipsand that’sworth a priceless fortuneto the essence ofour soul unionin this new era….