The one I surrendered my life to took my breath away in college—
smart, gorgeous, funny, speaking more than one language:
an extra-celestial earthling.

“…You see, I grew up in a family where my father spoke 5 languages fluently,
he being from a small European nation swept over by armies, and surrounded
by four or five other countries—depending on the time frame—
this lisp challenged son was amazed how easily conversation flowed
back and forth between people separated by borders.”

Everything changes. Continents drift.
Rifts open, time enters the voids—
I can only manage some of it alone.

If life is a mirror we touch a very deep reflection.
The heart of our heart.
Blessed with love and giving love, we started out in one world
and made another along the way.
Sentiments of joy and sorrow bellow the years:
lived, full, remembered. Not forgotten.
I can’t believe where we’ve been or what we achieved.
I could not have survived and flourished otherwise.

Alas, I haven’t uncovered all the miracles,
and don’t want to miss any dreams.
I hope you’ll find this to be earnest not just words.
Thank you for noticing me.

Stephen Cipot
Garden City Park