Peace

These are the moments in which I experience peace:

When I can feel the warm breath coming from your nose on my closed eyelid.
When I can try and time my breathing to match yours.
When we aren't distracted by notifications or text messages.
When I can feel the warmth from your body rise up and encompass me, surround me, protect me.
When I am so close to you my body shakes with yours on every heart beat.
When the path your fingertip left on my cheek tingles moments after you've traced your love.
When my head fits perfectly in the crevice of your shoulder.
When I briefly open my eyes to check if you're okay and find that you are doing the same thing.
When you touch my stomach or my feet or my hand or my neck or my face.
When I can listen to you sleep for hours.
When I can say to myself I would be happy if time were to irrevocably freeze at this very second.
When I feel small in your arms, yet have never felt bigger.
When I am reassured of your love.

At times a memory will creep into my brain and disturb the peace. I shake it off--both physically and mentally--and you notice the physical and mental shift.

When you hold me closer and kiss my forehead.
When you silently remind me everything will be alright.

These are the moments in which I experience peace.