“To love is to accept a soul entirely, not wishing that the person was otherwise, nor hoping for change, nor clinging to some ideal past. To love is to cherish the individual standing before you presently―charms, quirks, and all. To love is to give someone a piece of your heart that you will never, ever reclaim.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

There’s a certain song
About not wanting
To close my eyes,
That is how
I am feeling
Tonight.
I’m too afraid
I’ll miss a moment
Of endless wonder
As I watch you sleep
Oh so trustingly
In my arms.
How did I exist before
Without knowing
Such joy existed?
No bliss that ignorance!
Just an awful, aching
Emptiness
That I had grown
Too accustomed to,
Unaware of the heaven
That awaited me
This late in life.
I snuggle closer
And tenderly cup your cheek
With my small hand.
Sleep well, my darling,
And dream sweet dreams,
You are safe here
With me.

c.2013