curled
in the dark with you
it's cold
and we use the 11 p.m
news
for conversation
between
the two

lying on your couch in silence and
hunger, my muscles are in pain
and my skin, goose- bumped
and i think unimpressed
half-dazed
"really? this is how it is?"
then you ask me
how i am,
notice
my frozen hand
and
hold it, bring it
beneath your fleece sweater

and my mind curls inside itself
like a soft kitten
while my heart
sings
yes, this is how it is.