Sleep

an ocean of sleep-
the receding tide leaves a
tangled mat of dreams
–
dandelion seeds-
bare whispers
of my mind

on the edge of sleep-
hours before my alarm rings
each noise a crisis
–
suddenly awake-
a murderer
or my cat?

the blankets askew-
as you start to fall asleep
we share the same breath
–
dream talking-
I lie beside you
and listen

can’t tell from here if
I’m inside looking out or
outside looking in
–
midnight musing-
maybe I’m the one
in the mirror

late winter sunlight-
dawn paints my bedroom walls gold
an hour too early
–
almost spring-
awake before
my coffee pot

darling snooze button-
I could not cherish more your
extra eight minutes
–
incessant buzzing-
as day breaks
so do I

a forest clearing-
under a thicket the faun
waits for her mother
–
gauzy moonlight-
the woodland’s heart
whispers my name

slowly cooling sheets
echoes of the alarm clock-
bare traces of you
–
cold sunrise-
I wake up
alone

lost in the mirror-
the only light comes from the
crack in my teacup
–
face splitting grins-
each gaping mouth
another door

fingers cracked with age
settle on the well worn keys
of her piano
–
milky eyes-
memories of youth
and music