Light filters through our dusty screens
And scatters particles on your sleeping form,
Peacefully unaware and running about
In your dreamworld.
I listen to your steady  breathing, matching
Mine in rhythm  as I let my fingers
Dance across your flushed cheeks,
Red splotches on a pale canvas.
I place a kiss upon your forehead,
And you mumble something in your
Sleepy stupor,  not quite sure
What place to  be awake in.
My limbs are getting stiff,
Stuck in one  position for too
Long, but I don’t want to wake you;
Not yet.
I take a risk, shifting my body
To find a more comfortable spot
Next to yours.
Moving slowly, our skin sticks
Together like a mild adhesive
And you shift as well.
In that place, not quite awake
And not quite asleep,
Your arms wrap around
Me and your lips catch a kiss.
Whispers occur.
I whisper “I love you”;
The sheets talk to one
Another around our skins;
The traffic outside our window,
Down on the street below,
Shouts muffled obscenities
In the small hours of our morning;
The clocks and the clicking fridge
Cackle in the kitchen, and the
Drip-drip-dripping of the coffee ***
Begins a bittersweet smell.

But all I see, all I think is
“Oh darling, how I love you so”
As your breath catches for just
One second, and your blue eyes
Creak open, see me, and the sun
Dances across your face in the
Most beautiful smile.

That, my dearest, is the reason to get up in the morning.