big reach

My alone feels so good, I’ll only have you if you’re sweeter than my solitude.

— Warsan Shire

The delicious experiencing of our thoughts is so nourishing it is hard to leave that space.  Lovers may entice, cajole, and whimper but still we are drawn to the space of solitude.  The space where we are content and whole.  And yet…

We desire other-worldly connection.  The kind that makes our eyes flash, our minds spark and our bodies relax.  Intimacy glorious intimacy.  The deepest kind of knowing mixed with heady inspiration and undeniable attraction.  Long, endless and effortless conversations that leave us energized despite our natural inclination to tire.

You are terrifying and strange and beautiful, someone not everyone knows how to love.
― Warsan Shire

We terrify because we can be alone.  Such independence and freedom surely mark us as wild horses.  Unpredictable, able to leave.  We don’t need another for completion.  What if we pull away? What if our walking awaysacred world is within ourselves and not reliant on your touch, breath, words?

What if this is true but we still want you? Can you bear our absences? Will you wither as we expand? Will you wait for our return?

Can you handle our powerful longing, deep connection and meaningful affection once we’ve recharged? Do you enjoy the light of our transformative listening? We will love you beautifully until we can’t, then we will grow distant. Fueling our spirits once again with uninterrupted daydreaming and satiating stillness.

Are we worth it?

With you, intimacy colours my voice.
even ‘hello’ sounds like ‘come here’.
― Warsan Shireholding

I found you.  The one who feels me.  Who senses my gifts and value. Who makes my speech flow and heart glow.  With you I am open, fluid and alive.  I don’t hesitate to show my true nature.

You gave me permission to be me.

You process deeply as I do.

I bathe with you in vulnerability.

We cannot help but kiss.

Emotional depth draws me from the mountain peak of solitude to the sea of you.  Your mind excites me. Your voice parts my lips.  Your words part my…

I surrender my body to your self-awareness and soft touch.

I cannot resist you.

Will we meet in our need for space or will I taste loneliness and confusion as you withdraw and blossom?

I belong deeply to myself

― Warsan Shire, Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth

I belong deeply to myself but I’ll let you in if you cherish ideas, intuition, imagination, and my inner world.  I’ll let you in if you honor intimacy. I’ll adore you if you revel in clever writing, long walks, poignant lyrics, majestic nature, humanity, wonder, curiosity, awe.

My breath will catch if you reveal your tenderness and reflect me.

Are you into rich relationships? I don’t do casual.

Are you sweeter than solitude?

I belong deeply to myself and it’s costly to let you in.  You will fill me up and deplete me.

Are you worth it?

What is intimacy to you? Who is worth a loss of solitude? How do you maintain a fluid loving relationship with your need to recharge alone?

Warsan Shire

Warsan Shire

*A special note of gratitude for reader, Chehaw, for introducing me to Somali poet Warsan Shire.  Her lyrical words of love and truth spoke to me.

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