November 30
If I could crawl into your bed,
And listen to you sleep
Like an old lady listens for the labored breath
Of her husband of 68 years.
As she waits to be sure
He’s got another second of life
And dread the moment
Where he holds his breath
For two seconds longer
And she fears he is gone.
If I could crawl into your bed
And listen for your breaths
I’d cherish each one
In
And out
In
And out
Like I once cherished sex
Or wine
Or money
Just to hear you breathe
And be so close to you.