Sneaking back 
like cat
seeking affection 
my kisses
purr tease
morning awake 
after laughter
then coffee 
we throw 
open day
you skitter
I chase 
kitten to 
teasing string

I’m cloudy
though sky
is clear 
wits stolen
by sleep 
dreams linger 
like last 
evening’s supper 
still rumbling 
words come 
with difficulty 
like twisted 
shirts fresh
from washers 
maybe coffee 
yes coffee 
will wipe
nights grime
from eyes 

All that 
is is
a part
of what 
was and
that what 
was is
now the 
is that 
what once 
was nothing 
just is
before it 
was what 
what was

It’s here
now here
I knew 
it’s arrival 
was imminent 
but things 
such as
these prowl
sneak pounce
one journey 
starts another 
first suffering 
then humility
second healing 
then isolation 
now emergence 
and empathy 
I have 
walked miles 
of wondering 
wandering to
finally find 
myself quietly 
forgiven here 

In dark
I listen 
to heartbeat
and sleep 
with drowsy 
and dreaming
this that
you turn 
so faraway 
in night 
I fear
you will 
never return 
to me