she sinks slowly
into bath water
soap caressing
her arms her legs
her breasts
pat dry before
the creams the lotions
her hands gliding over
her skin like silk
white body against
blue satin
as she lies
to sleep
a sleep
of no regrets
sleep
toward sleep
a plate of beans
marinated sundried tomatoes
a glass of wine
all to ease one
in the night
moving steadily
toward sleep
peaceful sleep
he glides off
into a peaceful sleep
that only those
long accustomed
to a way of life
beyond their control
achieve
sleep
if it comes
it comes with immediacy
the eyes sag
the body caves in
on itself
and for a brief moment
there is relief
unfortunately
all too brief
before being blown away
by the wind
that howls outside
my conscious door
Alica asleep
spread out
taking total possession
of the bed
her left foot
protruding from under
the sheets
even her mother
had given up
trying to cover
that errant foot
a smile lingers
on her face
as she dreams
of the man
she calls her own
heaven
sleep
uninterrupted
no dreams
sleep comes
sleep comes
in fits
between hours
of memory
no respite
sleep
when it comes
is no respite
from thoughts
of you
why sleep
I sleep
to see you
again
Leonard Durso 