insomnia – Words and Feathers

Poem 20151012

the sheets are too hot
and laying on top
too cold with the air on

and the cat where my legs
should be turns me like
a snake–two a.m.

for thirty minutes and an hour
the sheets go on and go off
and the cat barely moves

and finally i move my head
to the foot of the bed
and curl around the cat

as if in worship
which she appreciates
and feel sleep descend at last

my eyes open
no waking up
just awake all at once
like the last three days
i look at my phone
and the green face says 4:45

next to me
your chest rises and falls
your eyes closed
just enough light from
stars
moon
streetlights
for me to see your outline

a halo illuminates your face
your nose
your lips
your throat

i shut my eyes
roll onto my back and my hand
finds yours under the covers

even asleep
you squeeze back