winter nights,
the gumtrees would brush up against my window.
i could hear the leaves fall,
and the branches twist,
the raindrops slapping the pavement,
the beaded droplets slithering down my window.
and when i looked out
into the midnight darkness,
i saw dim street lights,
and bobbing buoys detailed with marine lights.
i could smell the fine detail of smoke,
the salty crisp air.

those nights,
i wished your body was next to mine,
sleeping soundly-
i would have imagined you smelled like
salt and rain-
me, tracing the rope burns stamped into your palm.
and those nights,  
while the playful gumtrees tickled my window...
i knew everything would be sound
in the morning.