I woke up bare this morning
the shape of your name still warm on my lips
I raised myself on my arms
curving my back like a seal still dripping
body-hot cotton tumbling off my shoulders

You said you liked my back.

I woke up tired this morning
the six a.m. sun bled fiery lines
into the sky – dawn.
the ache of dreams bled fiery lines
into my eyes – bloodshot.

You loved the blue of my eyes.

I woke up cold this morning
the breeze from the window played bumps on my arms
long slender arms still reaching for you
sliding over sheets like an inhalation
reaching for blankets to block out the day

You slept like a child in my arms.

I woke up alone this morning
rolling slowly into your space
inhaling deeply, clutching your pillow
like my last chance
The scent of your head
pressed to my chest

And I forget
just long enough

to curve my back
like a child still suckling
the sky in my eyes bloodshot by dawn-tears
and I hold to me the last of you
breathing you to cover my nakedness
trying to shut out the day.