I pretended to be asleep
when she shifted only three inches
away
and fell, gracefully,
on my shoulder.

She was her own
sleeping universe,
warm by my side.

I resisted reaching
out to brush the hair from her face
or to pull her
just
a little closer.

I knew
the warmth she gave off,
half sunken in my bed,
was not for me.

Had she even wanted
to surround me,
I knew

I couldn't steal the sheets off someone
who'd kept me
warm longer.