To My Lover: Desire (in Middle Age)
You are my woman by the sudden generosity,
the unexpected twists and turns, the luck, and perhaps
the sense of humor of the universe.
Yes, this is the territory of almost every pop song
in existence. Up to the point of the “happily ever after,”
that is. This is about what happens next.
Middle age is about being many days, months, and years
down the road from the “happily ever after.”
A road that for many of us winds through the foothills
of early career and life choices.
The lush valleys of mating rituals.
The climb of procreating.
The ascension out of the thinning tree-lines
of life not going quite as expected.
Into the tricky rocks of career, relationship,
and family challenges. Searching for the path forward,
of making it all work; one that avoids the avalanches.
And sometimes it doesn’t.
So here we are.
In a little cabin somewhere in the wilderness.
Snow coming down, the fire crackling.
Making love, just you and me.
The world outside? That’s for tomorrow.
— Matthew S. Spira © 2020
