By Gala
Date: 6 December 2000
The Phoenix Connection
That first night may have been
sensual serendipity,
need, hunger, want,
or brilliant happenstance
but I came away from it hugging a secret
to my soul that I vowed never to speak.
But emotions cannot be bottled
and the very next time
I found myself in your arms
I spoke the unspeakable
cringeing to my soul
and expecting your scorn
and instead was drawn close
with surreal tenderness
my face cupped in your hands
like some precious thing
and the flavor of your next kiss
owed nothing to lust,
but I called it that.
It was safer.
It would burn out---burn away.
Science and logic tell us
that a fire will gutter
when the fuel is spent,
and I used this cold comfort
to keep away the fear
that improbably you had penetrated
further
deeper
more completely
than my spirit could bear.
And last night in your arms
moving beneath you
I felt my flesh peel back
felt something kick free of my chest
and fly to you
enter your skin
and settle into your body
wrapping itself in the glory of you.
Some bare naked bit of my soul
twined with yours
and suddenly i understood
the wonder of the Phoenix.
I burn with you each time,
and each time am reborn of the ashes
more powerful
more wise
more complete
than I would have ever dreamed.
Sear me again my love---
and know that I will never tire
of this miracle in your arms.
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