Spoiler Alert

dearest Tender One before you posted this poem
I saw your picture with thoughts of what a handsome man...

there is nothing to forgive dearest poet
is what we look like so important?
don't we connect on a truer level here?

looks fade and get in the way...

either way great write...

love Brenda ❤

Just simply lovely.

Love the support on this one.

Thank you for such a comforting acceptance on this write and reveal.  I completely agree that we connect on that truer level.  I guess there is some primal, unresolved fear of being average.  And many years of keeping myself quietly contained.  I think I felt such a security in the beautiful souls here that today seemed the perfect day.  My appearance is secondary, and thank you for reminding me of that.  And the RL add has quelled any fear I may have had.  

I agree with Brenda. I was pleasantly surprised to see your pic, there's nothing wrong with your looks by any means. It was heartbreaking to read  
 
"my flawed, human face  
in this landscape of open hearts   
and cum-drenched fantasies"  
 
Something as baseless as looks has no part in the the writing we create...or to even make an impact. Even as I get compliments, I'm only showing what I've chosen to show of my flawed self. I've grown to realize through writing and life itself, as I age, is that flaws add to the beauty. Still though, it's what's in a person's heart, soul and mind that makes them.  
 
If it makes you feel better, the MOST amazing connection I have ever experienced through thoughts and playing words just right ( better than real sex,  if not better) started and went on without his identity for about a month atleast. I'm talking about a 40+ hours a week of online intimacy at that!! He was 20 years older and felt intimidated but once I saw his face, it made him even more adorable to me.  
 
Be confident and don't hide behind an avi. You don't have to and it surely doesn't take away from the erotic thoughts you put into ink. Nor should you apologize. If one looked like a disaster of flesh, they need not apologize.  
 
Rambling done. Lol😁

Enjoyed the ramble and agree with many points.  I am learning that the mind is a great stimulant, more than I understood in the past.  I treated this write as a cathartic liberation.  In life, I have restricted certain aspects of myself for a very long time and have had some struggles on the confidence front.  True, my looks are irrelevant, and I am aware my flaws are like badges to remind me of this  crazy journey.  I can see how that intensity can flourish on the mental frontier.  All I really know is I truly appreciate the supporters like yourself that engage my mind on a daily basis.  As far as the avi is concerned we shall see, not that I am concerned about being accepted, but more that those who might know me would be shocked to discover my engagement in such a sacred, open space.  

That's understandable. My entire family and my friends know my dirty mind and that I write erotic stuff. Quite possibly some things wouldn't be appeasing to come across. 😮 Nobody has ever been compelled to take interest. Lol. They hear "poetry and prose" and that's of no interest. My hubby was curious and a little jelly over writing until I read him something more laden and he laughed saying wtf before I got 4 verses in.😂

I had an incident several years ago involving some old journals.  Let's just say my erotica was misunderstood.  I rarely write on the page anymore, except for song lyrics.  

Oh wow. Sounds like it was a brutal experience. Eeek!!

People who don't write don't always understand the modes we take to express character and ideas.  Let's just my explanation wasn't enough, and pointless.  I don't enjoy conflict so luckily I've found a way to continue to write without the stress of being found out.   I am content to keep it to myself and other like-minded people.

I SO gotcha;)

And I'm like..'What flaws?" I understand the flaw is that of the mind and it's little voices spouting recycled lies. 'We see things as we are, not as they are".  
It's work battling the negative dialogue that lives inside me. I once had a literal stranger say to me "All those conversations you're having inside your head, well they aren't real, it's not happening". Something so simple, so obvious, yet impossible to stop, cause I couldn't get out of the way.  

You're lovely, and it's nice to see you.

Thanks for the kind comment.  It is a mood I got swept in.  It's not a constant, and I agree completely with the stranger.  But definitely a battle some days.  Nice to see you back.