by Arcadia Hudson

Created on: November 11, 2008

Sleeping Beauty

He sits behind me,
one row back,
in my first class
of the morning.

I keep my eyes riveted
on the lecturing teacher
planted firmly in front
before me.

Demanding me

to pay attention.

The idle boy behind

I should be ignoring.

Whose slender arms are

splayed across the desktop,
as if he could take no more-
As if class was beyond boring.

His childish head laid on a book.
Over college ruled paper skin
His ink black hair was pouring.

Exhausted, flushed,
Cherry icicle pop red lips-
Between them he was
Snoring.

At the end of class,

I turned to wake him.
He had to know

everyone was leaving.

But I couldn't do it.
I could only stare.
He breathed so softly
How could I disturb his dreaming?

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