slowly,
shaky,
not unsure but
afraid to death
because death would surely become
the heart-broken
I prepare to kiss her
like a lover would
this time
I do

I never feel time fall apart
to moments
never have until
I felt her against my lips
all those seconds
I bundle up to a single
building emotion
hope

I come close to praying
when suddenly
she wakes up
blooms in an explosion
of coming alive
– she unravels me –
as
her vibrant energy
triggers a rebirth
of my whole being
from flesh to self to love.

KH