Love Poem: Devotion Poem Dancing Dream
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Written by: Sally Eslinger

Devotion Poem Dancing Dream

Devotion Poem.  Dancing Dream

(Dedicated to my husband Jim, with love)

Like a story’s narrator, I cannot see myself 
In life nor in dreams, nor in memories where
My recollection of you comes first
Of your eyes, which I have
Absolutely memorized, especially 
All their glistening smiles,
When they look fixed to my own, bringing
Your heart into mine, committed in love,
Creating song where none sang
In the empty minutes just before.

It is the sensing through touch that I treasure, 
More than the seeing.
So again, as through all my memories:
Reach with your hands;
Offer your arm; lean in with your chest;
Set your head upon my shoulder
As you speak — with the voice
I’ve always adored — to again say,
“I love you,” just as you did this morning
In the dream that woke me:

I was dancing my ballet for you.
How amazing it was! You even coached
Over the passion of the dance
And the music, until it stopped.
You came to me.   Tired, I leaned back
Against your chest, the crown of my head
Fitting straight under your chin.
I did not see me.  I did not see you.
But I could feel, yes, feel the motion
Of your chest as you breathed, and
Feel the warmth of your body, your
Chest, firm against my back...
So, I was surprised when I woke
And you were not there.  And I was here,
Not having danced the ballet at all,
But, yes, still fully, completely feeling
The warmth from leaning against you.
Your warmth from life,
From memory,
Re-lived in a dream.

*******.      ********.       ********.       *******
(C) sally Young eslinger  12/19/2020
Thanks be toGod