RESTING IN PEACE WITH YOU

When I gave in to sleep,

And dreams, last night,

I had not expected

To rest with you;

And yet you were there,

Head on my shoulder,

Us, cuddled up,

Your hair black, almost blue.

You were not the young woman

I once knew -

Rages of age

Around your dark brown eyes,

Circles of sad defeat

That begged kisses -

And yet your beauty could still shock,

Surprise.

First I was shy,

Wishing for a disguise,

Much as I'd been back then

In paradise,

Then I heard your confession

From your mouth,

Your voice no longer laughing,

But so wise.

Then, ecstatic, I woke,

Reached out for you,

But you are in your grave,

And I am too.