l'amour continue

The cruise ship, the first few hotels in Europe and California, and the temporary house where they lived until it was time to move —all those places witnessed the awestruck first months of their engagement until the enchanted fairytale gave way to a more mature relationship. The wistful carelessness of blooming romance fled, replaced by desire to learn more and grow closer. Neither lost in the dream, nor betrayed by fantasy, their bond grew stronger nourished by understanding and compassion. As life moved forward, love endured.

Amour nouvel

They clung to each other like hungry birds, shivering in the wind on a skinny wire. Like fish swimming along clear moving currents, feeding on the brightness of their secret world, visible only to them; coral reefs and winter evenings full of a wistful longing that made the past meaningless and future beautiful, bidding farewell to the past loves of other winters long ago, and revelries of their youth now lifeless with the forgotten time.

Always the most touching moments were when some simulated obstacle prevented them from physical contact. Soaked in affection, they trembled with love, avoiding the internal fear of losing the intensity of its sentiment in the future. Sensing that they were living a half fantasy of an idyl, they cherished the brevity of the happy moments and basked in each other’s eyes. Stealing embraces to prevent the fervent bouts of unspeakable desire pumping inside their veins from spilling outside of their self-contained world, they embraced and walked around with their limbs intertwined and heads touching. In crowded places, she would practice whispering into his ear, while gently caressing it with her lips, barely touching his skin as each word escaped her mouth.

The breathless delight of their engagement gave birth to the intense passion. Like Siamese twins, their bodies morphed into one, forming a new complex being who lived and breathed love. Addicted to affection and oblivious to the world outside of their new person, they gazed at one another with sparkles of happy tears glittering inside their eyes, repeating the same adorations for each other over and over. It did not matter that the words they uttered were the same words used yesterday to describe the inexplicable elation of having found each other, for each day felt different, somehow better and more tender with the passing of time. Hours turned to days, days turned to nights, nights turned to weeks, but they continued in much the same fashion through the Halcyon days of perpetual honeymoon in the middle of nowhere. Everything around seemed beautiful and exciting distorted through the bright prism of each other’s presence.

Unsure of the magic mechanism of action that turned their bodies into vehicles of pleasure, they made love fervently and kissed insatiably; plunging passionately into the mystery of a newfound dream.

Parting seemed impossible, but was considered reasonably prudent in order to give their bodies and mind a rest. Hoping to enjoy human interaction with the outside world, they quickly realized that the loss of physical closeness posed a threat to their mental wellbeing, for their mind was already addicted to the chemical highs of love and craved carnal connection.

When the time came for their first reunion, they clung to one another and staid locked inside a deep embrace, wishing they could remain attached forever.

Are you from Mexico City?

She was sitting in a small café with her best friend, eating crepes. They always ate crepes when they were bored together, which happened frequently.  Despite this peculiar habit, neither of them was overweight.  On the contrary, both girls were in that prime twenty-something age, with bodies beaming of health and well being.  Slender limbed, they sat together touching elbows and laughing.

A young man observed them.

The masterpiece (an excerpt)

"To influence a person is to give him one's own soul”

--Oscar Wilde

Philip stood up from his chair and sat next to Rob on the couch, leaning in with a look of discontent. He rather liked Rob and felt compelled to share his knowledge with the young man. At 33, Rob was still a cub, an innocent man, lost in the world of ideals that no longer moved Phil. 

"There is no such thing as a good relationship, Robert. Companionship is not going to make you feel better about yourself. A woman will not complete you. In fact, living with another human being under the same roof is the worst thing a man your age could do.

Of Tigers and Cows

The wild bull was a rare specimen. She possessed all characteristics of a cow, but had big horns and could fight like a bull.  She rarely ever used her force, but was known as a fierce slayer when she lost her temper. No one ever thought of her as a cow, but every animal found her irresistible.