I am absolutely constantly amazed by the talent on this site. Everyone here writes so well and expresses themselves so powerfully! I want to apologize for not responding individually, as each of the poems above deserves, but things here have been very hectic. Still, I want to tell each of the authors above how touched I was by their poetry.

*** Huge applause ***

--- sweetstuff

p.s. I just realized, in re-reading this thread, that I haven't posted my own latest poem. Here goes:

afterglow

peace
together
after passion
sprawling warmly
into one another
my ear to your heartbeat
your hand heating
the naked intimacy
of the small of my back
legs and feet
a happy jumble
and the rise and fall
of your chest
floats me along
the contented
curve
of your gentle
smile
into fulfilment
and sleep
and life

__________________
"You can't test courage cautiously." --- Annie Dillard