Winter 2008

A white moon suspended in the chill night air
The darkness is silent save for the wind
I lay in my bed on the warm side of the window
And stretch along the warmth of him

The house slumbers in peace around us
Our breaths mingle, toothpastey and sweet
I feel his heartbeat, I feel his living skin
Warm and elastic, stretched over his bones

My shoulders are smooth, my face barely lined
My children are four, two, and small
The days are full of raucous boyishness
The evenings are my respite

My senses take in my life days
Delight in knock-knocks, joy in the simple act of laughing, brother-loving
Mimic-ing cherub, tousle-headed squirt faces
Sweet soft baby head, ready smiles, roll-ey kicking legs and belly laughs
Barking dog, ringing doorbell
electric guitars and radio
Toy cars under my feet, legos in my bed
Smell of shampoo and lotion
Nuzzle of baby necks
Wails of distraught small child
taste of hurried suppers
chocolate smeared faces
a laughing kiss
a hug of rightness
my love is my husband

My face stretches into a yawn
Disrupted sleep and napless days are aging me
Into a grey haired mommy

Let me savor the goodness of these days
And use them for what they may be
foundations of truth, mortar of love

The night wind chills in an icy circle around my nest of sleeping family
I curl my back into his warmth
And sleep