Hope’s Harbor

Photo credit: Neil Mark Thomas on Unsplash

I accidentally wrote a love poem. And, it’s turned out to be one of my favorite poems I’ve written in quite some time. I’ve occasionally shared on this space how dating with a disability comes with its unique set of insecurities. Over the course of my early thirties I’ve done a lot of self work understanding and becoming comfortable with myself when it comes to romantic relationships. So, when the encounter that ended up inspiring this poem occurred it TOTALLY surprised me, because I was organically myself when I met this person. While it remains yet to be seen if anything further will transpire from this meeting, the hope and wonder that I discovered because of it has had a ripple effect on how I embody my dreams and myself.

To the young man who sparked this poem, thank you.

---

Hope’s Harbor

By all accounts,

our meeting was ordinary 

yet

meeting you 

was daylight to my dawn

reminding me

I radiate light. 

Before, 

hope was but a speck, 

a firefly flickering

across the coast of my heart. 

Now, 

hope has become a lighthouse,

a beacon sure and steady 

guiding me home. 

My attentiveness-my dancing-my courage (times two)-my awe-my curiosity

my love

is me

each a beam of divine light

shining forth from my heart. 

And all at once I know 

our serendipitous, fleeting encounter

changes everything

because 

I am myself

and my hope expands

into a fixed light 

on the shore of your presence.