The sheets curled, unfurled, danced around her *******
As he turned, he burned, looked away from the tests
She took when they lay in bed – so quietly

She forced her toe through a tear in the sheets
The threads they popped in delight and defeat
And she smiled for the first time that night – so quietly

Her wide-eyes strained to see the stars
They dried and on the pillow they left their marks
And later, he’d turn around and mistake them for tears
As he’d done for all these years

But for now, he lay, like a fetus in a furnace
With thoughts of his failure and her subtle victories
She’d put her hand on his shoulder and whisper in his ear
That, it’s quite alright my dear, it’s quite alright – so quietly