Liminal Spaces

An ode to the men in my life

“Waves need the shore to crest” 

-Mark Nepo

Thank you

for your broad shoulders

and firm stance

deep voices

sculpted muscles

and endearing paunches.

The hot stolen glances

and electric touch

that sends tremors from skin to soul in seconds.

The curious turn of a phrase that catches me off guard

and jolts me out of my seriousness with a chuckle.

Your counter beat liberates me from the sticky web

of my mind’s labyrinthine thoughts.

You season my words

Lighten my journey

And deepen my story.

How many times have you

smoothed the wrinkles in my brow

coaxed my clenched fist 

to soften and stretch into long, graceful fingers again

and let the poison built up like stored fat

be suctioned out with a snug hug or laugh.

Thank you for your 

strength

confidence 

and compassion

that allows me to slap up against your shore

so I can rise tall and powerful

before I tuck and curl

to splash down once again in this playful dance.

May we always find each other

weaving in and out of these liminal spaces

in between labels

evading defininitions

and dissolving borders

I am grateful

sweet brothers

for the gift of balance

in your presence

I bite my lip

and savor the pleasure a bit longer.