The Warming of a Cold Shoulder

there are small gestures
in semi-sleep
as two bodies
rearrange themselves
under covers
where toes brush ankles
and one knee
hooks between two

outside
pre-dawn darkness
pools
big slow
droplets
rolling
rain
from the rooftop

inside
a bare shoulder
rests surrounded
in crisp air
skin uncovered
cool to the touch

it’s a simple motion
of a languid
other
hand
half-dreaming
that moves to pull
a soft sheet
up and over
that cold shoulder
one light pat
then gently drawing
back
to sleep

2013-10-29_feet bed

In Disguise

the mosquito buzzes
close to your ear
its high
strained
whine
a warning
that soon
there will be a landing
a tapping
for your blood

milk
has been put on the grocery list
October’s calendar marked
for costume shopping
and zombie make-up
for your son
tomorrow’s lunch
is in tupperware
for your husband
you finally RSVP’d
to the party
and the dog
well, he’s by your side
as usual
napping like a cat
but ready to follow
in an instant
tail a-wag
and anxious
for the next exciting thing
with any movement made
from your chair

you are not sleeping
but not fully
awake
and dreams are distant
from where you sit
this morning

you know
you are no
zombie
and blood-suckers
are swooshed away
yes
you are
in costume
you
artist
dreamer
stardusted traveler
all dressed up
like a citizen
a mother
a wife

courtesy of Nicki Varkevisser
courtesy of Nicki Varkevisser

The Thick Sound of Nothing

I think
it was so quiet
that the thick
sound
of nothing
woke me

that sleeping room
filled
with silence
stillness
so empty
it was heavy
a velvet blanket
enfolding all
in hush

my chitter thoughts
tested
ears searched the chasm
there must
be
just a trace
of sound

but no
and yes
there was
nothing
spread thick
like a salve
pure pause
enveloped
suspended
me
in silence

really
there was no sound
but for my
bewildered
mind
teetering
so close
to being
soothed
by nothing

photo courtesy of Robert Cudmore
photo courtesy of Robert Cudmore