Love

in the widening of the room

Photograph by TheRaven38 with Euterpe & myself

It lowers itself
into the space between breath
quiet
already here
like something the body remembers

I soften-
without instruction
love

I notice it in my ribs
how they stop holding so tightly
my breathing begins to stay

there is a stillness forming
it is not empty
just held

you are here
love
and my hands stop reaching for what is not present

the room feels wider
like it has learned how to carry more air

I stop leaning forward into time
searching
I stay in now
and now does not feel sharp anymore

your presence becomes simple
a kind of warmth I don’t have to interpret

there is a return happening inside me
steady
but not dramatic

I learn you in continuity
in return
the quiet agreement of staying

and something in me begins to rest
not fall
not disappear
just rest

my body remembers what safe can feel like
love
without needing to name it

I am here
and I remain here
without negotiation
and it feels like home in the breath

and what stays
is this quiet opening
this soft holding of the moment
as if it has decided to keep me too

Euterpe