Lenten Challenge, Day 36: Beloved

With today's word being "beloved," I couldn't help but post a poem about the moment I knew I was in love with Ryan. It's been more than ten years ago, but he's still my beloved.

Heartbeat

I love him most

when he sleeps in my arms—

his hand in a ball under his chin,

his dress shirt pressed with wrinkles.

I take in the earthen scent

of man and run my fingers through his hair,

twisting the thick black curls. His chest expands,

his bent knees rest on the sofa. 

I brush his whiskers against my fingers. 

Then he stirs and captures me—

green-brown eyes piercing,

lips curling in a knowing smile.

The world around us spins away,

changed by his heart against my palm.