My Love Is Here Poem by Louise Tredoux

I’m overawed, the smell of you,
when you arrived, hot from sun
and flight and tired from traveling
day and night, you smelled like
heaven to me, my senses were
overwhelmed and my mind was
unhinged – the most we were
allowed was to sit next to each
other, we did not sleep last night,
preferred to sit on the couch
instead of going to bed; I could
lie on your shoulder; experience
your beingness; I didn’t want you
to take a bath – you smelled of
wood-fire smoke and khaki and
something else – your essence,
I think; it was marvelous, you
arriving when I couldn’t wait any
more, you should have warned
me so I could have prepared, my
tearstained face was a mess;
when you got out of the truck
my heart stopped, the moment
too big, I still can’t believe that
you’ve come, that you are here
and you are mine, I just want to
stare at your sleeping face on
this morning of love and grace,
I’m crying again, my love is here,
joy overpowering expressed
in tears, you’re here!