I would never

want to quell her spirit, quite the opposite, not when she so loves for it to be free and nourished, tended to and grown. To stifle her would be to ground a bird, tether a beautiful wild creature, no, I would rather hold her with palms skyward like something delicate you don't want to crush and that allows for the flight she may want to take. Like those magnificent birds and the leap of faith that the handler takes upon release that the feathered one will soar, soar only to return to it's perch. But I do want the claiming, I do, I won't deny that and I do want her in my hands. I know I don't have to squeeze her tightly but can possess her with a touch and I adore how she gives herself to me and I make her mine with my thumb and forefinger just above her elbow as we walk together. That holding of her as complete as picking her up and carrying her off. That sweet surrender.