Laying beside you is my greatest fear
and my greatest dream,
for both you and I can hear
the rise and fall of my chest,
fighting to keep my breath
in tandem with yours, I could almost scream.

You hold me so close, the air between us
heats up, like a lovely inferno.
I’m pained, being kept from turning
over and over in your burning
grasp, but to be without it would pain me more so.