Golden Man

Originally published in the zine Nightlight, edited by April Valentine in 1986.

How do I see you?
Objectivity blurs sometimes when love gets in the way.
Strong and sure, yet gentle…
Giving—up to a point.
Stoic for the most part.
When you close in on yourself it’s with resounding slam.
There is an aching vulnerability that echoes
From those blue eyes and touches a
Respondent chord in me.
So much for practicality.

How do I see you in my mind’s eye?
Lying by a fireplace, wind glass in hand,
running along the beach, hair blowing in the wind,
T-shirt wet and clinging…
Like a big golden cat—cougar or puma.
Sleek and powerful,
An awesome power untapped.
Yet the menacing imagery tilts a bit
As the cub shows through in your smile
And the teasing glint you show so seldom
And only to me.