When you smile at me,

I feel naked.

Naked – not in any exposed way.

Naked – exposed only to your love.

I feel free.

 

Naked, in a way that makes me feel that

all of life’s painful blows have just slid off me.

From my shoulders, down my back

passed my backside and onto the floor.

I am naked – truly free.

 

I become immune to the fools,

and all of their tired, deceitful ways.

And I am dead – dead in a wonderful way.

Dead to the rest of the world and all its absurdity.

Dead to everything but you – and I am immortal.

 

When we are together, I am at peace.

I gaze at you, seize your smile,

your beautiful, soothing smile,

until it rises to a laugh.

When you laugh, I am never more alive.