The Encounter

An encounter is never the beginning.

It comes after attention has been given,
after consistency has been demonstrated,
after generosity has proven itself without instruction.

I don’t meet men to see who they are.
I observe who they become over time.

Presence is earned long before it’s offered.
And when it is offered, it’s because I’ve decided it’s warranted.

Nothing here is rushed.
Nothing is negotiated.
And nothing happens simply because it’s requested.