This is not a bad memory, or bad dream or bad thought.

This is not the after images you see from staring at an open flame

or the blue circle that appears

after staring at a light bulb too long

and then closing your eyes.

Those things fade in time

just like those faulty thoughts and after images

that often put on a show

but are nothing but fatigued cone cells.

This is you and me,

fighting for our lives.

This is moving meditations,

learning to love ourselves.

This is beach walks by ourselves and together

because we both get charged up

from the ocean and the early morning sun.

This is the struggle and the ecstasy of fiery passion.

The movie motion picture that is coming to life

even as life sucks,

Love seeks our praise

and wants us to feel

Her magical pulse.

This is the only thing that matters.

Effort, sweat, care, comfort, repeat.