April 2, 2013

• For This Time

  Tonight I am privy to the kiss she gives her stuffed orange cat
     the thrum of her heartbeat against my hand as she flips onto her stomach
     the sigh she gives as she settles into the crook of my arm
        her little fingers scrabbling across my neck and collarbone, scrunching sleepily

  I feel the weight of her sleep as it descends
     and sniff her maple-syrup hair
        and feel her gentle breaths landing with whisper-feet on my face.

  She clutches her cat
      and stares out thoughtfully into the darkened room
         her curly-haired head pillowed by my arm

  The fan whirs loudly
     and the red lights of the heater glow warmly
        and we rock
    silently
       in our chair 
  in our warm-cocoon
      and wait for sleep to come.

  She is recently weaned
     and
  will one day fall asleep on her own, but

  for this time
      I will accept this trust that she gives me so wholly
         in the comfort she finds in my warmth and my presence
     and I will hold it gently
         and her.

  These are our tonights, for now

  tomorrow will come
  soon enough.

   

  • 7:43 pm
  • 3 Comments