Subliminal

Where you exist
Is not a matter of vision
Though you are assuredly beautiful
Your hair shining in the sun
Your eyes, your skin, your shape

Nor is it in a sound
Though your voice is lovely
And I love the way your dress sounds
As you walk next to me
The gentle swish of your stockings
The click of your shoes on the pavement

Nor is it in a smell
Though your fragrance is one of
Sunshiny spaces
Of open fields full of wildflower
Of sweetness and joy and peace
Like petrichor

Nor is it in a taste
Though your lips are sweet
You fingertips delicate and warm on my tongue
Your warm skin tasting of salt
And ripe raspberries

Nor is it in a touch
Although this may be the closest
For when two people touch
They are no longer two
But one
If it's done right
And, dear heart,
You do it right

No, not in any of these
Is where you exist
You are in my soul
You are the light of my soul
And your radiance fills me with warmth

Not all the distance
Or time or space
Or worlds or even death
Can extinguish that light
It is you.

And it shines forth forever.