On the Couch.

I pry my eyes open, your elbow
wedged itself near my spleen.
Carefully I wiggle my arm free from
my weight and rest the pin cushion on your chest,
remembering how Jeremiah loved my hand on his chest.

You turn your back,
and shiver in your PJ's while
I keep warm in yesterday's T-shirt and jeans.

I retreat from my cuddle crusade
and turn, face pressed into the smelly couch cushion.
I kick Tiffany off my feet,
she really is the ugliest dog I have seen.

My eyes barely close before you stir
and turn, then reach your arm across my middle.
Your legs fold into mine.

Gently you brush the hair from my neck,
there you leave a kiss pulsing.

The morning goes on this way:
stir, wake, kiss, sleep, again and again
until the dogs jump onto our couch.
You stir, wake, kiss my neck, then let the dogs out.

I wait.
You kiss my forehead this time
and my eyes open into your eyes.
"Good morning", you whisper.
I reply the same
before drifting back into sleep.