Lawrence Raab said sleep
is a way to stave off death.
Maybe that’s what I’m doing
on these long mornings
when the dawn light tries to creep
beneath my blackout curtains.
Last night’s tears leaving
my skin starched and stiff
and photos of you the first things
that appear when I unlock my phone.
My body is protecting itself,
afraid I’ll catch your death,
so my leaden limbs pull the sheet back
up to my chin and I dream you back to life.
2024-01-01