for dan

raffles hotel, friday evening
birthday dinner, buffet
sumptuous spread, wonderful food
10 guys, 1 lady
all beautiful people.

the food nourished us
the conversation flowed

of relationships
of men, of women
of tops, of bottoms
the girl, the boy
of life experiences.

different perspectives, different experiences
but one conversation

"it's not about top or bottom"
"it's not just about sex"
"it's not about how old the other party is"
"it's about communications"
"it's about adapting and accommodating"
"it's about connection"

i presented myself in the lines i spoke
i saw myself in the lines that was shared

very common lines, very cliched lines
yet, i saw knowing nods
i sensed silent agreements
i saw the little glitters in everyone's eyes
those who spoke, spoke. those who were silent, we heard them too.

we indulged in each other's company
and the lines between strangers blurred

and all too soon, we were reminded again
that it was a special occasion, for our special friend
birthday cake, birthday song
perfume, aftershave, beautiful bowls, wonder woman!
happy birthday dan!