Love.

Here:  Scott Schuman and his long time girlfriend Garance Dore.  In various places.  I have written, on here, about them more than once.  Separately.  And as a couple.  The thing is, they are just a couple.  A couple of people that happen to love each other.  I mean, clearly, in every picture above; there is a conversation going on.  Lovey.  Serious.  Elation.  Commitment.  Sunshine.  Rain.  Casual.  Dressy.  Posed.  Candid.  Choice.  Passion.  Vulnerability.  All the things that a relationship consists of.

Because, after one learns to live alone.  Learns to love themselves, it becomes peaceful inside.  Quiet.  The static gets drowned out.

Or at least, that's what they say.

Every day that passes.....I come to a deeper understanding of 'the quiet'.  And I am blessed and thankful for all things that help me do that.

But mostly, I'm just grateful for all the forms of love that I experience every single day.  And lately, it has felt like a waterfall.  Bounding.  But slow.  Gentle.  The way summer nights lull you into a romance about seasons.  You can't really quantify it, when it happens.  But it happens.  And you swear, you were there.  Every minute.  But can't quite define the spotlight of change.

'Says the poet to the moonlight
Says the singer to the song' - Ani DiFranco

And as my head rests
My eyes soften
My tensions melt
And I acknowledge my past
Like someone I used to know
Respectfully declining interview
As I believe
The tabloids of my memories have said enough
Instead, I will hold myself upright
And take another step
Paying tribute
On a deeper level to my sensibilities
To the future that hasn't happened yet
To the woman I believe I was born to be
Someone who cradles a lifetime of beings by showing love
Touching faces
Listening to hearts
Sharing my sadness by way of understanding and compassion
And falling in love with as many things possible

Because
That's the only thing that matters in this world.
The only thing.

Embracing softness
Has felt so soothing and necessary
Speaking truth
And shutting my mouth when I have nothing nice to say

Troubling others
Less
For their advice
And hearing my own
Cause, I've experienced a few things in this life
And I am the only one who knows what's best for me
Believing the good in people
Instead of anticipating the bad
Was like unringing a bell
And, is still, a constant conversation within

The things that define me
Are as follows:
Art is the paramount expression of self
I love people's idiosyncrasies
I look up.....a lot.  Because, the sky breathes beautific sights
The space between sleep and awake is where your true wants and needs exist
These days, my tears are made of life not loss
Landscape carries the whispers of the people before her that have fought to make right
Shamelessness is where self respect begins
Laughter heals wounds
Structure speaks in the form of story
Where your eyes dance when examining a person, place or thing means more than you think
A good sandwich is always a good idea and must include cheese
Don't be afraid of the sound of your own voice.  It resonates with your swansong.
Road trips, car rides, for no reason, is where my heart works through her doubts

Reflection
Within yourself
Within others
Within everything
Is the key to the door inside

And

Finally

Conversations, without words, are louder than bombs
Conversations about nothing, mean everything