I read the Harlequin Romance novels when I was a teenager and I have written reviews for Romantic novels for an on-line publication. Analyzing romantic literature takes away some of the magic…and real life romances are not the same in reality as they are on the printed pages. Just like any woman, I dream my dreams of daring, dashing, handsome lovers and fantastic love. On the other hand, having been married before, I know romance can come down to tired after work, dishes to be done, and could we get some sleep more often. My parents have been married for almost 50 years, and that is real life romantic answers. With this in mind….I have thought out a Romantic Notion on the page in the dreamy, sexually charged world of fantasy that makes my knees go weak. Let me share:
Working tin pans, I look sideways at the man who brought me here from the road. His gaze is intense and preoccupied and I look away. It is well past noon and I am incapable of working the pan metal correctly to prepare the pans for others to smooth. The sun is high and I put down my skillet and sit with my chin on my hand. With his loose, flowing pants and open shirt, the man is foreign to me. His sister has asked me to take a scarf and I have declined, knowing I must leave soon. The man brushes close to my skin and as I move away he pulls me to him. His chest is hard and he smells of oils. Suddenly, he releases me. His touch lingers on my body. I turn my head as I think of nightfall and how close we sleep by the campfire. The glow of the gold painted wagons is cold in the ashes and my heart beats quickly as the man spontaneously captures my lips with his. Wild and strong, he is a hunter in the chase. His tanned throat jumps as he laughs at my confusion. His white teeth will show in the moonlight tonight when he lays down with me after the gypsy wine.
Romantic Notions are those inconsequential ideas that spark our sexual desires and leave us dreaming about further encounters. They can be found in a smile or a tear, a rescue or an interlude in bed. Chasing our own desires, we are not all inclined to respond equally to the same Romantic Notions. Real life Romantic Notions are hard to find. While I am between male lovers (I do not take female ones) Romantic Notions in my head are not as easy to please and have no satisfactory outlet. There is a delicate balance between romantic fantasies and the love found in our daily life- virtual romances will never be capable of replacing real physical participation. When there is someone to love, catching and holding a Romantic Notion is the difference between a good glass of water and the heady intoxication of gypsy wine.