Lesley pulled me back to centre.
As she cares for me, I care for her.
The feedback loops of care
develop both our capacities for self-care.

Male friendship is a great thing
but romantic love is white hot –
thereby it has greater potential for healing?
(while it burns)

I spent three years learning all the concepts regarding “healing”,
without healing;
with Lesley, healing happens in practice.

When I come back to centre,
it is as though there is a plug hole in my belly,
and skittish, nervy waves of anxiety
drop down it,
like a waterfall through my belly
to the sacrum and hips,
where tension crashes and splashes.

When the anxiety spikes, let it spike.
keep still and silent – let it spike
To “stay in touch” in times of dissociation
requires my greatest level of strength