Smile

I smiled when I first met you down on the slopes of the riverbank.

You were surrounded by the water; as if you were the water. Your eyes held a flame; as if you were the fire.

You were gentle and tender and consistent.

You were perfect - you gave the word its meaning.

You were the discovery I craved, searching for a haven in the folded, worn pages of that book.

And then, down by the riverbank. You smiled back.

I quickly grew to love the place,

A place where I was safe; wanted; respected.

You knew me like I'd never known myself. And you taught me - you breathed life into me.

And finally, you smiled once more. A smile that informed me of your wisdom; your knowledge.

Relieved. Greatful. Safe. Alive.

I'd be entangled in these emotions many, many times after our first encounter:

You are my best friend, my confident, my strength, my happiness.

And I shall never prize anything more, than I treasured you and I, on that riverbank.