there it was – for just a moment

in the darkness, a flash of something pure

a flurry of shadow and softness

the cool night – comfortable in her own skin

providing cover for the covert

your forehead pressed to mine

intimately aware of each others’ presence

and I saw it – the corner of my eye bore witness to it

it was real and true, and you can never take it back

protest it, if you must

but I caught you smiling

and in the narrow halflight of the streetlamps

there was nothing broader than that bright grin of joy

I beamed back a proud one of my own

for the world is sad, but not with you apart of mine
~j.d.schofield