Poems

From waking light to evening's end your figure returns to me again through busy hours and things to do my thoughts keep wandering back to you I find it hard to understand for we've never walked hand in hand I've never seen you standing near yet I can feel your presence here It's quite a mystery to me how someone I still have to see could fill my heart whole day through from first hello to night's "love you" beneath São Paulo and Nashville skies you somehow live behind my eyes.

I want to hear your breathing near not through a phone tiny screen to touch the sweetness of your skin to feel the peace your arms bring in to hold you close when daylight ends our fingers locked like lifelong friends and pray to God in whispered grace with nothing left but your embrace.

I never thought a voice so far could reach me like a guiding star through miles of dark, it found its way and turned my night into your day we speak in echoes of countryside skies different lands, but the same worn ties and maybe these roads, so long and wide, were broken just right… to meet inside.

I count the mornings left to see then count them once again for me I count the hours then count once more like waves returning to the shore the minutes move but much too slow for every part of me must know how it will feel to hold you near and whisper words for only you to hear to see your eyes to touch your hand to stand with you where you now stand to steal a kiss to hold you tight and thank the Lord for that sweet night until this ocean lies behind I count the days till you are mine.

a few more days a few more nights a few more goodbyes from screens to flights a few more texts before your voice is not a sound but a living choice no more counting days and hours apart no more measuring miles from heart soon I will know what your embrace can do soon I will hear the breathing close to you soon days together will not be a silly dream soon your eyes and smile will not be on a screen and somewhere between Brazil and Tennessee, the woman I've missed will be waiting for me.

The walk to the front door felt so long although just a few small steps away each footstep bore a heavier weight as if my heart was meant to stay "Let's pray", I said through my tears and your gentle voice began to rise between trembling breath and pauses hope sang louder than our cries Our final long kiss had the taste of salt seasoning of tears we could not hide yet when our eyes found one last glance they turned the bitter sweetness wide I've never been a man who weeps yet every strength I'd built just fell because these tears came from love the truest and sweetest I've ever felt The Lord who wrote our first meeting wrote that painful goodbye as well and if we can see such beauty in it what joy the next hello will tell.

Sometimes old ghosts still call our names with borrowed guilt and stressing games they knock on doors we've closed before yet find no home there anymore we both were bruised by storms gone by we both asked God the reasons why but you healed the places no one knew and somehow I did that for you too so let the shadows come and leave they cannot steal what we believe for every ghost that seeks our peace finds only grace that will never cease the past may knock, it can't come in for God has brought us hope again our sweet story is just about to begin.

I used to weigh each word I'd say and wonder if I would lose the day afraid one small thing could start a storm inside another heart but now the hours just slip away from good morning to end of day and every laugh and every tear feels lighter with you, my dear we talk of simple things and deep joys we hold, the wounds we keep and never once do I pretend you became my best friend no walking on a fragile line no fear that honesty is a crime just peace and trust no need to hide with you I'm safe on every side and if you asked what love is worth see how you changed my whole world for what I treasure most to do is simply spending time with you.

You call me "love" I call you "amor" from different worlds one love forevermore You speak in English I think in Portuguese yet somehow both bring us peace I say "boa noite" you say "good night" both sound so sweet and feel so right For love was never meant to be just one language but you and me Sei que te amo now and endlessly either being here or across the sea.

If I could choose one place tonight It would be there beneath your light To laugh with you until fears fade As miles between us melt away I'd pray with you, our fingers crossed Thanking our God for all we've lost Because He led two wounded hearts Back to the place where healing starts We'd sing old songs of love and grace With quiet joy upon our faces And serve the Lord side by side With nothing left for us to hide I'd breathe the sweetness of your hair And lose myself completely there While your brown eyes drew mine so near Until the miles would disappear.

You carry burdens few can truly see yet still you guide your children faithfully though many years have left silent scars God's grace shines beyond our broken hearts He sees each prayer you whisper late at night every tear you hide beyond their sight though the road feels far from calm tonight He walks beside us, leading with His light.

Na hora mais escura te vi chegar (In the darkest hour I saw you arrive) Como um farol a me guiar (Like a lighthouse to guide me) Trazias fé e paz no falar, (You brought faith and peace in your words,) Caminhos para recomeçar (Paths to start over) Em meio à dor (Amid the pain) ganhei calor (I found warmth) Na vida brotou (In life hope) esperança como flor (bloomed like a flower) Assim é o... amor. (That is... love.)

Before we met, I thought I knew how deeply I could fall for you your voice, your heart, your gentle grace had long become my favorite place but now I've held your hand in mine watched your brown eyes softly shine I've heard your laughter fill the air and found a greater beauty there you didn't simply meet my dreams or match the picture they had drawn you gently walked beyond them all like sunlight breaking through the dawn I loved the woman I imagined then I love the one I know far more I've never been so sure as when my love grows stronger than before.

What if your eyes undo me face to face and every fear just falls without a trace? because no stranger ever felt this known no distant voice has ever felt like home we lose whole nights in laughter, prayer, and song, as if our hearts have recognized all along and though the miles stand tall between us now for you, I'd cross them all, and still somehow.