Sticks of Wet Straw and the Beauty Between Them

There is nothing I love more than this season with you. The rain has started. The blankets are fresh out of the dryer. There is a brick of tea candles in the closet and a box of matches because you know I love the smell and the strike of them. You have the lighter you carry with you. We both know you carry it with you because I will misplace the matchbox right when I need it most, and you will be there to solve the problem. There is the smell of cinnamon and brown sugar in the air and it's dark enough by 5pm to light the candles. I say a makeshift prayer with every candle: Hovering over the wick with my matchstick trying to find the balance of timing involved in detailing enough what I pray for with the prevention of having the wood burn down to my fingers. Sweaters and tea and painting and the illuminated cave we have made together.

[Image from the film Phase IV (1974)]

(title: I enjoy the way my mouth, teeth and tongue feel saying this. Even if silently.)

The Scent of Cinnamon Laced Into My Brastraps

What being in school has taught me is the power of focus.

If I focus, full force, on reading, writing, studying then, when I am done, I get to focus, full force, on enjoyment. Of food. Of my body. Of music. Of flirtation. Of everything.  I love it.

I finished the little-but-strict 5 page research paper that was supposed to be tonight at midnight by 1:40pm today.  Which means I've gotten to

enjoy
every
bit
of
everything.

Even though I have a bit of a cold, I am still looking forward to Indian food and a movie (for class, yes, but it's just a regular movie!) and the smell of a fire and blankets and good company and warm tea because, well, I still have a bit of a cold.

It has been a very good week.

Next week will be as well.

I hope everyone is doing well out there.   My absolutely favorite season of the year is beginning, and I could not be happier about it and the delicious aspects of my senses that it involves.

Let it be known, without humor or sarcasm, that if you ever want to get in my good graces, one avenue is to bring me the largest caramel-covered apple with nuts that you can find.



Be well; be loved,

k.

(Image: Tokyo, 1978, Daido Moriyama)