breath

 

breathing

heavy
hot
&sudden
last time

but now
            for the first time
            i awoke
            and knew you were there
                        the rumpled comforter
                        no bedding could not hide your sleeping splender
            i was home but in my house i was not
                        vacant we left
                        my door open, we had hurried from there
                        was it last night?

                        i could almost believe it was years ago
                        how awesome a feeling of waking every new day as i did today
            pulled in a silent, driving force we had gone
            close to avoid the night's desolate chill
            but without a touch or word

            as wife and husband we would do it so many times,
                        someday
                        i knew it so plainly beautifully true
            but that night we had that closeness that i have never known
                        i see that moment as closely as now
                        outside, in that union
                        your blanketed youngest slept, carried in my arms 
                                   worn out from the day

            we eloped to your space
            an unspoken unseen look did pass between us
                        "care not to wake the children"
                         and we glanced (& counted) the one, two,..
                         three, there she is, angels who carefully lain their heads
                                    snuggled in the warmth of home and happiness
            together we pulled out the bed and with care
            gave the 3 each of us space

            not a kiss was needed between her and i..
                         we intuitively laid our tired bodies close
                         and were quick to fall asleep

            and i smiled, this morning. while you all slept.