Lois Elaine Heckman

He is the hearth
before the fire of her critics:
he turns the burning embers cold,
to be tossed back
into their mocking mouths.

He is the cosmetics
behind which she camouflages
personality pockmarks
and the ruts of her insecurity,
transforming them into pulchritude.

He raises screens
that modify and mellow truth,
filtering nuances in words and
the motivations behind reactions,
to form shadows that soften reality.

He is the wizard’s wand
that magically masks hidden fears
so they appear imaginary and illogical,
and she can pretend they are not
waiting for her in ambush.

He is her companion of choice and necessity.
He enables the annihilation of doubts
and forms a shield against anguish.
Without his certainties, how could she
let herself believe in herself?