some nights when they sleep
he enters the room
comes between them in the bed
there is space enough,
he slides into the warm sheets
slithers over to her side
wraps around her and gently
presses her skin squeezes
the life from her,
threatens her with disaster.
she thinks this is sexy
she has no idea.
the snake stays the night wanting
her dreams, she opens her eyes
early morning feels around
for something vaguely
unfinished
the way night stories can be,
but he is gone pulled back
to his own bed
his own woman
her thick honey hair and soft hips
waiting, wanting to bear
children, he has
made his choices, he has
spoken his vows.
let’s meet for coffee he says,
that cafe in the hills she says
but they never do.
she rolls onto her side
now listens for the alarm,
when it sings she reaches
her entire body across
the mountain of her man,
she stays there as he
awakens encircles her
she holds on to him
for dear life.
Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2017