To feel this pain, to feel so viscerally
Alive.
Not despite, but because.
Not with you but it was
So beautiful and heart rendering all at once.
I’m feeling it all at once
And I’m standing, still.
I didn’t know that my heart could withstand
With standing still in the presence of blazing, searing flames.
“Try me,”
It says. “You’ll see. Go for it.
You’ll be amazed.
I’ll make it through.
I’ll take a beating and keep beating
And beating”

And by the salty air I’m breathing, still,
Not despite
But because
I opened my heart to you.
And it was fire
So beautiful it drew my heart to speak:
“Try me.”