"For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love."

-- Carl Sagan

Propping a pillow flat against the wall
He leaned back to sit up and look at her
Slowly swirling the burgundy wine in his glass
He watched her undress

She slid her foot along the cold floor
While covering her breasts with modest hands,
Trying to hide her eyes behind curls of hair
And looking to the floor for answers
To questions only she had asked
Wishing she could hide all the scars
She found so imperfect
The marks left by time and living
By hurt and loving

So much of which she didn't want him to see

He took one more sip of wine
And put down his glass on the bedside table
His posture closed, and he drew his knees to his chest
Embracing his legs
And beckoning her with pleading eyes that said

Don't be afraid, my love
I will keep you safe with a gentle strength
Protecting you from this vicious world
With its piercing barbs and hurtful ways
I will love you with all of my heart
And in my bed, you will always be safe
To be everything you are
Reserving nothing with your fears and uncertainty

But still she wished
That in this moment he was blind
Unable to see these imperfections
The flaws
The parts of her she couldn't feel pride in
The parts of her she was taught to shame
And the jagged chasms of broken confidence
Echoing the fears in her head

As she drew near, he reached to her and took her hand
He welcomed her with a kiss
And wrapped her with a loving touch
In the blankets warmed
By the heat of his passion for who she is

With a nurturing hand, he caressed her cheek
Bushing her curls back from her face
To steal another kiss from her wavering but wanting lips

And all was calm

Except the beating of their hearts
Rising to reach each other in their anticipation
Moving in rhythm to find each other

And in that moment
She knew she was perfect
Not in a fabled perfection like an angel sent from heaven
But perfect in his eyes
And still she covered her body
Not hoping to hide the scars of time
But in knowing that he fell in love with her soul
And when he looked at her, her soul was the beauty that he could see

And in that moment
All was calm