by Colette Duval

Created on: May 30, 2011

the sheets are crumpled
from the urgency of our
love making
the morning air is filled with lusty sweat
and memories of last night's kisses
and the wrapping myself around your body
before falling asleep
in a tipsy haze
conjuring up intimacy
and long - after- midnight closeness
my eyes melted into yours
and you smiled
as if you really saw me

So why this sense of loss
as I wake and turn
to look at you
My hand tentatively touching your shoulder
and right there in my stomach
the ecstatic butterflies from last night
are dying from sadness

Instead of soft smooth skin
and the muscles in your strong arms
and the way your hair curls round your temples
I see an open mouth
and smell stale breath
and notice the spot on the side
of your mouth
how different you look this morning

Withdraw my hand from your shoulder
and feel a little silly
because my eyes are welling up
and I wonder
what happened
while we were sleeping

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