We woke sometime early this morning and lay in the covers, our first night together. After a while she said, "It's so strange. I was looking at your arm lying across mine. It seems the older I get, the more I notice contrasts. The difference between masculine and feminine. "

"I think it's the same as an artist seeing shape and color," I said. "Masculine and feminine is probably the strongest energy that runs the world. It makes sense that you would notice it."

After leaving her house I went on a bird walk, invited randomly by a friend. The guide explained how first he listens for the birds, because so often they're heard and not seen. Then he searches the distance for color, shape and movement. Then, when watching a flock feeding or flying by, he looks for the differences that separate one from another. Some species are easily apparent. Others have appeared only once in a hundred years.

Five hours later, I thought of the words: The collage of you and I.