shaking me lightly, tugging on my arms,
playing with my fingers, ruffling my hair,
whispering sweet nothings,
messaging, calling, anything
to keep me from sleeping

again: i have a tendency to
fall asleep more than once
and it took every ounce
of patience and love as you
comply once more to another

five minutes more?

come lie once more, love
and hold me like the night before
when the warmth kept us through
the freezing cold.
when the fire kept us sane
through the same old story we told.
when the spark kept this
thing from growing old.

and you should have scolded me by now
for sleeping in again, especially on a monday

but i snoozed my alarm
for the fourth time already
and my head feels so heavy
you see, i haven’t been
getting much sleep lately

from falling and sinking
deeper into the familiarity
of a spot we once knew,
a spot i carved in the shape of you,
a spot i thought i’d never lose.

from tossing and turning
between, under, and over
the sheets.

i toss: every unanswered question
to the morning breeze, hoping it
reaches you, while

you turn: your pages to a
brand new sheet

of a future where i
remain in the past
because you slept,
but never dreamt about us
did you, love?

so before the sun scorches
me once again:

just five more minutes.
i promise to get up.