It wasn't what I expected to find
Winding my way through the world unaffected
By the words of those who sought my love,
Or sought to share that part of me
Locked tight away til now.

I fell in love with a gentle man's mind
With the broad expanse of unfettered spirit
Reaching past all the pain he's known
Reaching deeply inside his fathomless heart
To reveal his deepest self.

With my heart I listened as he shared
His fervent, genuine longing for love
With him, celebrated its joyous discovery
And shared his pain as it threatened to flee
Carving deeply both ways.

But he is richer for his knowledge
For having the courage to open his heart
For taking a chance he might have missed
Had fear or bitter sarcasm's harshness
Barred his heart's honest way.

And I am richer for knowing him
For he alone reaches beyond my clever words
Offering honesty, faith, hope, and trust
And inspiring me to hold my heart open
To all that I desire.

This kind of love is a warming presence
I carry in my heart on the coldest days
So different from all other love I've known
For minds, souls, and spirits play paramour
And lust is pale in comparison.

Brave spirits reach beyond borders,
Knowing no false limits of space and time
And souls that wander the world and touch
Freely sharing all they feel sincerely
Find unconditional love!
~ ~