Ugly Ducklings Poem by Lonnie Hicks

You never felt pretty enough
and I
was not handsome
circling each other
grappling for rainbows
other ones
could not see.

You were too heavy
I was not big and strong
every one said so
and we took pity on
each other
that summer night
absorbing
each other
as Consolation's Prize
each settling
for what was not
our first choice

you giving me
Gentle Indifference
and I give you
a glimpse
of my Raw Need
you willing then
to offer pity
for love
I giving
a mixture
which
landed upon your lips
as you plunged deep into my heart
we each stepping back
to view each others

Soul Flight
shocked and surprised
because ugly ducklings
don't transform
into swans
from lips kissed
but ours did that night
you inhaling me
Soul's Passion
seeing beyond
and we

transformed
and surprised
stood side by side

locked
in that close proximity
critical
blushes
ringing
self doubt shrinking
routing False Ideals
in Youths Dream;
hearts
flaming
rising
rising
into

Souls Space
which
has no ideal
other than
how we
each
make each
other feel.

Maturity

is Open Hearted
Soul extending
settles
gently into
Timeless
Space;

your hand
we breathing
Beauty Heaving
into that
Human Space
we call
Love.