This is David. He was on his way to pick me up for our first date. He was nineteen years old. The cat was just passing through.

This is a poem David wrote:

I went a separate way
sought a surcease apart
of varying strength

I found a crown of rose
twined it around my head
the flowers dropped off
the thorns grew
piercing

I stuck my hand out
open and waiting
felt the bitter texture
of lust

I sought my true refuge
my barred door against the world
I thought it had to be locked, shut

I reached out and half-joking, gave it a tug
already making plans and schemes,
dashing hopes and dreams
filing away memories like tears of gently falling rain
already giving it up for dead

and found it open
and welcome
and love

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